This will be part of a series of places visited by Bert Morelos, MetroVan Independent News Photographer, as he travelled the world. Some of the facts written comes from Wikipedia. Otherwise, the places referred to were points of destination in Morelos’ world travels. (Photos by Bert Morelos)
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul historically also known as Constantinople and Byzantium is the most populous city in Turkey and the country’s economic, cultural and historic center. It straddles across Europe and Asia across Bosporus Strait. The old city reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here.
Hagia Sophia.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
Hagia Sophia is a former Christian Patriarchal Basilica (church), later an Imperial Mosque and now a museum. From the date of its construction in 537 until 1453, it served as an orthodox cathedral and the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic Cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 1453 until 1931. It was then secularized and opened as museum on Feb 1935.
Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace or the Seraglio, Istanbul, Turkey
The Topkapi Palace or the Seraglio is a large palace in Istanbul, Turkey that was one of the major residences of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years of their 624 year reign.
Grand Bazaar.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
The Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Mosque or The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Sultan Ahmet Mosque or popularly known as The Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior was built from 1609 to 16016 during the rule of Ahmed.
