It’s impossible to contemplate covering Istanbul in a day. As a tourist, you’d need at least a week in this pearl of the orient. However, we have a long way to go to reach London, and 1 day is all we have. Tijen and Nilofer, our local guides had created a succinct itinerary for us. The Hagia Sophia, Blue mosque, Sultan Ahmet square and the Roman cisterns were on our plan. And the treat at the end was a stroll thru the grand bazar.

Nothing about the Hagia Sophia is exaggerated. Every positive review, effusive descriptions you may have read are true. Hagia Sophia meaning ‘Holy Wisdom’ is now a Grand Mosque in Istanbul. Originally built as a Christian cathedral of Constantinople in the years 532 – 537 AD, this monument has been standing for 1700 years. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have “changed the history of architecture”. So inspired were the Ottomans by thisbeauty, they based many of their future designs including that of the Blue mosque on the Hagia Sophia. Christian religious iconography and reliefs were removed by the Ottomans when they conquered Constantinople, but the beauty and grandeur of this monument still nests some Christian influences such as the golden relief of Mother Mary and baby Jesus over one of the archway entries into the Mosque.

Hagia Sophia, once a cathedral of world renown, was then converted into a Mosque. Following the republicizing of Turkey, it was converted into a museum. Recently under President Erdogan, the council of the state, decreed to convert it back into a Mosque. The day I visited, scores of 8-10 year old boys were being recognised for their study of the holy Quran. There was a commemorative function within the grand hall with all the families present. The mosque was lit beautifully with all the glow of the low hanging chandeliers, light reflecting off it’s antique gold crevices and arches. 

Irrespective of what religion is practised within its walls, as soon as you enter Hagia Sophia, you feel a sense of wonder, tranquillity and peace, I felt spirituality and wisdom seeping thru the solid stone walls of its wonderous rich history.

Next on our list was the Blue Mosque. Based on the high pendentive dome design of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque is very much an icon of Islamic faith. It is a fully functioning mosque with  hand-painted blue tiles adorning the mosque’s interior walls, which is what gives it its name. At night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes. Unfortunately, the restoration work going on inside prevented us from experiencing the full effect of this famous structure.

We also visited the subterranean Basilica cistern, located under what was a great Basilica in the large public square on the First Hill of Constantinople. Today there is a little water remaining within the cistern and a delightful light and sound show takes tourists thru the history of this ancient city.

We had lunch at the famous Orient Express restaurant. Food and service were on par, however not one of our favourites so far.

Finally we made our way to the Grand bazar. One o the largest covered markets in the world, tourists, hawkers, shop owners and locals come together in this chaotic bazar full of spices, hand woven rugs, sweets, jewellery, coffee shops, tea stands, souvenir shops etc etc etc. we didn’t have much time, so in our focussed shopping spree, we bought a beautiful whirling dervishes statue from xxxxxxx shop (Tushar please help), a couple of magnets as souvenirs and said goodbye to the bazar for now.

No trip to Istanbul would be complete without a boat ride on the Bosphorus. A deep strait, with powerful under and over currents, it links the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Our boat of choice was a private yacht, the largest on the Bosporus. A glorious sunset, flowing drinks, cruising under the remarkable and iconic Bosphorus, Sultan Mehmet and the Sultan Selim Bridge, we admired the beautiful houses and building dotting the coastline on both sides of the deep blue waters. We  danced, laughed and enjoyed our way into the enchanted starry night.

“Either I conquer Istanbul or Istanbul conquers me.” Sultan Mehmet. 

We came. We saw. We were happily conquered.