Istanbul Photos 3

29) Still the palace. These next few are inside the harem.

31) Ataturk statue in Gulhane Park just outside the palace.

32) Little Hagia Sophia - originally known as Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus.

33) Golden Horn - the bridge in the background (in green) changed light colors periodically.

34) Golden Horn at Eminönü (main launching point for boats).

35) New Mosque

36) Galata Tower - near where I stayed.

37) Alexander Sarcophagus in Archaeological Museum

38) A piece of the Golden Horn Chain that hung across the Golden Horn for centuries, protecting the world's largest natural harbor.

39) A leaf caught in a sculpture.

40) Dolmabahce Palace - this replaced Topkapi Palace in the 1700s.

41) Rumeli Hisari (Fortress of Europe) - it was from this fortress that Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror launched the assault that toppled the Byzantine city of Constantinople, turning it into the Islamic city of Istanbul in 1453.

42) Bosphorus Bridge from dock near Küçüksu Pavilion.

43) Küçüksu Pavilion/Palace - this was the sultans' hunting lodge. A little nicer than a deer blind, eh?

44) Boats on the Bosphorus.

45) In the excellent Pera Museum - one of many great exhibits, and I think a great way to end this photo tour of Istanbul. This pertains to NYC graffiti art in the 80s. They also had photos from 1970s Orange County!