Ayia Sophia,the exit

Doge's Dandolo's grave,the Venetian Duke,he was the instigator of the looting of the church and the City by the crusaders in 1204 AD

The marble base of a pillar

Ayia Sophia,the imperial door

Ayia Sophia,the dome , from this view the old frescoes can be seen under the islamic geometric pantings

view of the dome,the scaffolding seems to be a feature in the last few years

half column detail

mosaic in the upper gallery,Virgin Mary and Christ flanked by Emperor John Comnenos and Empress Irene

mosaic,upper gallery,emperor Constantine and Empress Zoe

Ayia Sophia,mosaic,Christ Pantocrator with the Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist

Christ Pantocrator, closer view

Ayia Sophia mosaic

Closer look,St John the Baptist

Closer look,The Virgin Mary

upper gallery,the supports of the half domes

Ayia Sophia,Imperial sarcophagus

Holy synod decree,inscri ptions in Greek

more inscriptions

Ayia Sophia,mosaic above the exit

Istanbul,sho eshine boys

Istanbul,mosque before the Grand Bazaar

Istanbul,the Grand Bazaar

Istanbul,the Grand Bazaar

Istanbul,Grand Bazaar,a busy street

Grand Bazaar,a plate shop

Grand Bazaar,a nargile shop

Grand Bazaar,a games shop

Grand Bazaar,small greek presence

Grand Bazaar,a lampshade shop

Istanbul,the tramway

View of Bosporus from the roof bar of our hotel

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The Grand Bazaar

A vast area of covered streets and shops.It was build by the Ottomans to boost trade.After the fall of Constantinople the Venetians and Genoese lost the spice trade from the East .New routes were found and the eastern mediterrenian was bypassed.The Grand Bazaar brought back a lot of trade as an outlet to goods coming in overland from Asia.It 's divided nowdays in several sections,jewllery,ceramics,glass,musical instruments etc.A very safe place to shop as long as you are prepaired to bargain,there no prices on the goods.The area is easy to navigate,the plan is based on squares ,and with the different sections of goods is easy to find your way out