Visit Turkey 23-28/12/2008-First day

Well, as promised here's a few snap from Istanbul. There's a lot of them, and I don't know which one to pick, so I just grab some and put them here.

The first monument that we visited is Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofia in local pronounciation). It was a very huge building, originally a church in Byzantine times before converted into Mosque during the Ottomans. However, Mustafa Kemal Attaturk converted this mosque into a museum during his reign.

Hagia Sophia from Sultanahmet Square

Inside Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia - 2nd floor

Then, we went to Blue Mosque or (Sulmaniye Camii) just opposite Hagia Sophia. It is the Ottomans answer to the gigantic Hagia Sophia and built with 6 minarets. A very beautiful mosque indeed. It is a working religious facility and therefore there is a restrcition for tourist inside the mosque.

In front of Blue Mosque (Alahai spoil..tutup mata lak..)

Inside view-very astonishing indeed

Lepas solat..