Terrace Guesthouse
Kutlugun Sok. 39
34400 Sultanahmet, Istanbul

One of the many delightful things about Istanbul was the cats. They were very friendly. This one visited Magda daily on her balcony at the Terrace Guesthouse, seen here with two of her kittens.

The Terrace is very conveniently located in Sultanahmet, the neighborhood containing the Blue Mosque, the Haghia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. The view from the breakfast room, just under the roof terrace, offered lovely views of the Sea of Marmara and of the neighborhood. Up on the roof was even better; to the south, the sea, to the north and there was the Blue Mosque and the Haghia Sophia.

Owner Dogan Yildirim took excellent care of us!

The Haghia Sophia
Aya Sofya

Nearly 1500 years old, this was once a Byzantine church, which was converted to a mosque in the 15th century. Now it's a museum.

There is a hole in the Pillar of St. Gregory in the Aya Sofya. Rotating your thumb in this hole is supposed to grant healing.

The interior of the Aya Sofya

The Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Camii

There is no admission fee; but donations are encouraged. Modest attire is required.

The Blue Mosque is so called for the many blue painted Iznik tiles that decorate the interior.

Construction of this amazing building
was completed in 1616.

Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Sarayi*

There were many beautiful things to see inside the harem at the Topkapi Palace. The photo at left is of the beautifully tiled hallway outside the eunichs' quarters, at the entrance into the harem.

Construction was completed at Topkapi in 1465.

There are two entrance fees require to visit the harem: first you have to buy a ticket to enter the palace grounds, then there is a second ticket required for the harem. It is a guided tour, tourists are not allowed to wander on their own through the harem.

* The correct Turkish spelling has
no dots over the "I"s.

Basilica Cistern
Yerebatan Sarayi*

The Basilica Cistern was constructed by the Byzantines in 532. There are 336 columns, each over 8 meters (26 feet) tall. There's a few inches of water there, and fish swimming in it. It's quite dimly lit, with up-lights on the columns. Classical (Western) music plays on speakers, though perhaps Sufi music would have been more appropriate.

There is an admission fee.

* The correct Turkish spelling has
no dot over the "I".

The Mosaics Museum
Mosaik Müzesi

A mosaic of a mare nursing her foal, and a detail of her head.

The mosaics in the museum are from the Byzantine era, late 5th century. Admission is very inexpensive.
You'll find the museum tucked behind the Arasta Bazaar.

Artemis Rug Store
Akbiyik Cad. Adliye Sok. No. 14/11
34400 Sultanahmet, Istanbul

The Artemis Rug store, and the sister ceramics store across the street, is located just around the corner from the Terrace Guesthouse. The owners, four brothers, are Kurdish, and above you see a lesson in a traditional Kurdish wedding dance. That's 18-year-old Joseph in the striped shirt.

They have Van cats, unusual and rare cats that come from one place in Turkey. They often have one blue, and one amber eye. The brothers' cats are short haired: Rainbow, Ali Baba, and Wisteria. By sheer coincidence, Magda also has one of these rare cats, a long hair: Boo Boo, rechristened in honor of her Turkish cousins, Ali Boo Boo.

Kösk*
Akbiyik Cad. Adliye Sok. No. 9/1
34400 Sultanahmet, Istanbul

Down the street from the rug shop was a wonderful restaurant, Kösk. Many of the restaurants played American rock and roll; Kösk played wonderful Turkish music. We danced in our chairs and ate much good food with orange or apple "tea".

* The correct Turkish spelling should have a cedilla under the "S" -- pronounced "sh".