Taksim-Tünel Cablecar

İstiklal Caddesi at night

Blue Mosque at night

Blue Mosque at night

The columns inside the Blue Mosque are huge

Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sofia

Lilac lined walkway to the Hagia Sofia

A unique display of both Christian and Muslim symbols inside the Hagia Sofia attesting to its history as both a cathedral and a mosque.

Intricately carved capital of one the columns inside the Hagia Sofia. This one looks recently cleaned.

Inside the Hagia Sofia

The apse of the Hagia Sofia was converted for Islam by adding a mihrab (to indicate direction to Mecca) and a minbar to the right where the Imam would preach.

Mary on the dome of the apse inside the Hagia Sofia

A winged angel adorns the side of a column inside the Hagia Sofia

Ornate grill of the Library of Mahmut I inside the Hagia Sofia

Large Alabaster Urns inside the Hagia Sofia

Looking through one of the Imperial doors into the nave of the Hagia Sofia.

Mosaic of Constantine the Great, the Virgin Mary, and Emperor Justinian over a side exit of the Hagia Sofia

Ablutions fountain just outside the Hagia Sofia

Drinking water spigot in an alcove near the exit of the Hagia Sofia

Ablutions area with marble seats with worn butt indents

Dome of mausoleum of Mehmet III.

Detail of door lock on one of the mausoleums outside Hagia Sofia

Wall tiles outside of the mausoleum for Selim II have an unusual story. Apparently, during the renovation of these building by the French, the tiles were removed and sent back to France for "cleaning." Very good replicas were made and installed in the newly renovated mausoleum and the French kept the originals. Despite repeated attempts to get the tiles returned, the replicas are still shown and the originals are in France.