Exploring Istanbul: A City of Cats, History, and Bazaars
During the third week of July, my family and I traveled to Greece and Turkey, learning the history and culture of the communities along the way. We stayed in Istanbul, Turkey’s capital for the last four days of the trip, and had a wonderful time visiting the great mosques with their intricate architecture, sightseeing the historical palaces of the Ottoman Empire, strolling past the bazaars, and playing with Istanbul’s well-known population of cats.
The first site we visited and prayed was the Blue Mosque, dating back to the 1600s and built by the Ottoman Era Sultan Ahmed. As I walked in the building to pray, I was amazed at the stunning blue-toned interior and intricate designs, and impressive architecture of the six minarets. The Blue Mosque was only one of the many impressive mosques I visited, particularly in the Sultanahmet district where I stayed.
We visited two palaces from the past. Specifically, the Topkapi and Dolmabahçe Palaces. From the 1460s to the mid 1800s, the Topkapi Palace served as the primary administrative center and residence for the Ottoman sultans. Today, it serves as a museum to visitors containing sacred relics representing islamic history and royal treasures, ranging from a a giant diamond to the extravagant silk robes of the sultans. The Dolmabahçe Palace is located right next to the Bosphorus Strait, a big waterway separating Istanbul’s European side from the Asian side. With its more modern and, at the time, appealing European style, it replaced the Topkapi Palace as the main administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire. I stood amazed at the vast floral courtyard and picturesque view of the Bosphorus. The interior was even more grand. Huge chandeliers lit the massive halls and the distinct furniture of each room. There’s even a crystal staircase that sparkles in the light. Other historical sites we visited included the famous Galata Tower and Basilica Cistern.
Perhaps the experience most worth mentioning from my trip to Istanbul is seeing the cats that roam the entire city. Istanbul, also known as the “City of Cats,” holds a tradition of caring for the city’s adorable felines. Residents are often seen leaving out food, water, and shelter for the cats. Given the care they receive by the people, the cats there seemed to be quite friendly and affectionate towards attention.
Lastly, the bazaars in Istanbul are a combination of hustle, tradition and hospitality. Among the thousands of shops in one of the most famous bazaars, the Grand Bazaar, one can find handwoven carpets, traditional souvenirs, antique jewelry, and sweets like Turkish delight!
