The 5th Puzzle: Why are the Treasures of Istanbul unknown?
When I was growing up I heard nothing about the beauty and wonders of Istanbul. I heard a lot about the wonders of Paris and Rome, but nothing positive about Istanbul. And I am a voracious reader of newspapers and magazines. Istanbul was the city of Midnight Express, a one-sided depiction of pure violence, and occasionally a political story would appear about a coup or a new government.
Imagine my surprise when I went to Istanbul to discover:
1. A museum that was the largest cathedral in Christendom for a thousand years, Hagia Sophia, which displays many of most important Byzantine artworks and mosaics ever created. This building influenced mosques everywhere and inspired millions. This is simply one the most important buildings in the world. Everyone should see this.
2. A palace, Topkapi, containinig Moses’ rod, original harem buildings, a treasury containing an 86-carat pear-shaped diamond, perhaps the most beautiful in the world, priceless art and artifacts and a view over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn that thousands died for their masters to possess.
3. A Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, a vision of ages past, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world dating from early Ottoman times.
The list goes on too, the remains of a Roman Hippodrome, gigantic fortified Byzantine city walls and palaces, and mosques that are as beautiful as any in the world. The views everywhere in the city make Istanbul perhaps the most beautiful city in Europe and certainly one of the most beautiful in the world.
So why have all these treasures been ignored, and why do we rarely see mention of the beauty of Istanbul anywhere? Is it simply that many people just haven’t been there? I believe so. And I hope you enjoy Istanbul as much as I do if you go there.
Before you go though, one last treasure must be mentioned. The vast majority of Istanbulers are among the friendliest and kindest people in the world. Perhaps they are its greatest treasure.
To go to the 6th puzzle click here.
I am currently reading The Dervish House, set in Istanbul. It was a Hugo Award nominee this year. Wonderful book. The setting is enchanting. But I am partial to Eastern settings.
I agree with your comments. Istanbul is a constant delight and the people are always helpful and welcoming. It has been called ‘City of the World’s Desire’. Ever since the Turks conquered it, the Russians dreamed of reconquering it to be their holy city of the Orthodox faith.
I write stories with a light touch but use this Russian obsession as part of my plot in ‘Scandalous Lady’. While negotiating a peace with the Ottomans in 1810-12, the Russians were secretly plotting with Napoleon to conquer Constantinople.
Hi, Thanks for your comment Beth. Scandalous Lady sounds very interesting. I will put it on my to read list! Secret plots and romance make a wonderful mixture.
I’ve had the pleasure and fortune to have visited every site in and around Istanbul, Izmir and most of the Turkish Mediterrenean. The one place you must visit if you go to Istanbul (or if you go again and have missed this the first time around) is the Yerebatan Cistern (Basilica Cistern – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern). It’s dark, it’s magical and they used to play classical music down there (not sure if they still do); so pictures really don’t do it justice.
I went on tears now, what a phenomenal way to describe Istanbul. Thank you.