Turkey has always been a magnet for tourists from all over the world, as proven by the 1.5 million visitors it averages every month. Not only is it filled with cultural treasures, but it is also unique because it is the only country in the world that belongs to two continents – Asia and Europe.
The last time I visited Turkey, I did not have the chance to enjoy what Istanbul has to offer because our tour group preferred to go straight to Ephesus, primarily to visit the house of our Blessed Mother, see what’s left of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and be awed by the famous Library of Celsus. Then we proceeded to Cappadocia and were fascinated by the wide expanse of beautiful rock formations with bizarre rock pillars known as “fairy chimneys,” as we flew over it in a hot air balloon.
This time, traveling with family and friends, I made sure I’d spend time in Istanbul and marvel at what the historic city offers.
First on the itinerary was the famous Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, with its four towering minarets adding a dose of prestige to the view. Built during the Eastern Roman Empire, it has been transformed many times – first, it was an Orthodox church, then it became a Catholic church, after which it was an Eastern Orthodox church, then a mosque, then a museum, and, four years ago, it was converted back into a mosque. Although the murals and the ceiling of the interiors are peeling and need to be restored, they still evoke the elegance and beauty that structures of the Roman Empire are known for.
Nearby is the magnificent Blue Mosque, with its stunning architectural features. The thousands of blue tiles in its interior give the mosque its name. Also known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, it was completed just before the untimely death of the then-27-year-old Sultan. What makes this structure awe-inspiring are its elegant ascending domes and the slender, soaring minarets.
We also had the opportunity to dine at Istanbul’s world-famous restaurant, Nusr-et Steakhouse, owned by Turkish butcher and chef Nusret Gökçe, who became famous for his technique of using salt in preparing and seasoning meat. Because of this, he is popularly known as “Salt Bae,” and his luxury steakhouse can now be found in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Dallas, Miami, New York, London, Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. The restaurant’s interiors remind me of those catacombs from biblical times, and the steaks are to die for.
On our way to this fine dining restaurant, we passed by another imposing edifice, the Nuruosmaniye Mosque, an 18th-century Ottoman baroque structure, which I found captivating because of its unique blend of classical design and contemporary Western architecture. This made me wonder why Istanbul has so many mosques. Our tour guide told me that the city used to be the capital of the Byzantine Empire, a seat of Christianity, and had many churches. However, when the Ottoman Empire conquered it, the Turks converted the churches into mosques and built more of their own.
We had the chance to pass by the very famous Grand Bazaar which has more than 4000 shops that sell anything and everything. Good thing it was closed because of a holiday, otherwise, I would have spent the whole day there and would have missed out on seeing more of the city.
I also enjoyed spending time on Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), which has been limited to pedestrian traffic and a railway tram. Hundreds of tourists walk up and down this street, which is lined on both sides with all kinds of shops selling food, souvenirs, apparel, and more. This street, in the new section of Istanbul, is Ground Zero for tourists.
I came across the Church of St. Mary Draperis, a peaceful oasis right in the middle of the very busy Independence Avenue, allowing me to pay homage to our Blessed Mother. Further along, I found a nice seat at a sidewalk café and spent the afternoon leisurely enjoying Turkish tea paired with a slice of tiramisu.
Another city attraction that has gained worldwide attention is the Basilica Cistern, or the Subterranean Cistern, the largest of the hundreds of cisterns found under Istanbul. Today, it is kept with little water for visitors’ easy access, and the play of colorful lights makes it visually appealing. Among the many movies that have featured this particular tourist attraction are two James Bond films (From Russia With Love and Skyfall) and Inferno, the latest of the Dan Brown trilogy.
Turkey is indeed a land of stunning beauty, vibrant culture, and rich history. I’m looking forward to visiting it again because, aside from its glorious and resplendent past, where else can you claim to be both in Asia and in Europe at the same time?
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