The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with over 3,000 shops.
The Grand Bazaar's shops have something for everybody, but most of the goods are targeted for the many tourists that visit Instanbul.
The Spice Bazaar is the second largest covered shopping complex in Instanbul after the Grand Bazaar.
Main Street of the Spice Bazaar.
The Spice Bazaar, as its name implies, is the center for spice trade in Istanbul.
While the Grand Bazaar has gold jewelry, clothing and items for tourists, the Spice Bazaar is dominated with shops specializing in food and food preparation. Many shops only carry one type of food item, such as nuts, all types of nuts.
Candy stores featuring "Turkish Delight"which consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios and hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel.
Olives.
The marble fountain located in the Spice Bazaar.
A trip to Instanbul isn't complete without a visit to the Blue Mosque. The correct name is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, but popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles on the interior walls.
A scale model of the 400 year old Blue Mosque.
The interior of the Blue Mosque showing the massive support columns and the beautiful blue tiles.
Looking up at the interior of the dome.
Fountains outside of the Blue Mosque are used of washing before entering the Mosque for prayer.
The Obelisk of Thutmose III at the Hippodrome. The 3,500 year old obelisk was carved from pink granite, it was originally erected at the Temple of Karnak in Luxor (Egypt). Theodosius had the obelisk cut into three pieces and brought to Instanbul in390AD.
The German Fountain, located at the Hippodrome.
View of the interior of the German Fountain.
Within walking distance and sight of the Blue Mosque is Hagia Sophia. Built in 360AD, Hagia Sophia was a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia is famous for its massive dome, and remained the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years.
Interior views.
Some of the Christian iconographic mosaics
View from our hotel roof.
Istanbul University, located between our hotel and the Grand Bazaar.
Street signs
Beware of trees!
Found on the street
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