The horse race arena ruins are in the historic section. Also known as a hippodrome, this race track could seat 100,000 people. That's about 25000 more than the Rose Bowl. Sports fans in about 500 were watching a chariot race or races and after the event was over a riot broke out between the blues and the greens. The riot went on for a number of days and rioters set fire to the Basilica of Hagia Sophia. After the riot was suppressed the Emperor, Justinian, arranged for a newer bigger replacement.
The new Hagia Sophia (EYE-uh, so FEE uh) was the largest Christian church in the world for 1100 years. It is amazingly light inside. This architectural masterpiece was changed into the mosque of Holy Wisdom when the Turks conquered the city in 1453, and after World War I, Ataturk made it into a museum, to be enjoyed by both Christians and Muslims, as it was too important a building to fight over.
The Suleyman Mosque was built a millennium after Hagia Sophia and is breathtaking in its elegant simplicity. Sinan, the architect was one of the greatest architects of all time. The grounds of the Mosque also held a hospital, a kitchen to make food for the poor, schools for young children and a religious school, a medical school, and a caravansary, essentially a safe place for traveling merchants and their camels to safely spend the night.
Although UNESCO mentioned these three buildings, the historic area also has the Blue Mosque, the only Mosque with six minarets outside Mecca; Topkope palace with its fabled harem; an archaeological museum with artifacts from the Hittite Empire and the Basilica Cistern, a huge underground water storage area to provide the city with water during long sieges.
The Grand Bazaar could be considered one of the world's oldest Malls. There are at least 1200 shops that sell a tiles, leather goods, jewelry, carpets, pipes, clothing, silk. Although some shops cater to tourists, others primarily serve residents of Istanbul. Shopping in such an environment comes with some warnings. Be prepared to haggle about the prices, so knowing a price range and how to bargain is a useful skill. Also be on guard against pickpockets and bag slashers. The Bazaar is always closed on Sunday.
The Egyptian Spice market was originally built adjacent to a Mosque to help support the Mosque, It is one of the oldest bazaars in Istanbul and features spices and dried fruits and nuts. Because the word for Egypt and the word for Maize are very similar in Turkey it has been mistakenly called the Corn Bazaar.
The fish in this seaport city is fabulous. There is a street of fish restaurants the glitters with lights at night. A Turkish bath is both invigorating and relaxing, if its co-ed, take a swim suit. Eat at a rooftop cafe enjoying the sites of the city. Take a day trip to the Princes Islands, where the only transport is horse and cart.
