It is so much easier to walk around the city in the early part of the day. The Topkapi palace was a little further than the usual walk but not a great deal.
The charge to enter this was the same as the Hagia Sophia, 25 lira, having the security checks as well. I am uneasy putting my small backpack on the belt through the xray because there are so many people there. After the pickpocket experience in Bar, it has left me feeling vulnerable and almost paranoid about leaving it anywhere.
The usual park like areas within the closed courtyard were very pleasant, again the
money aspect is very visible. With shaded walkways, many buildings all with their tiles and decorations to please ‘the rich’. There were many displays some in darkened rooms to protect them from damage. Some restrictions on photographs and the use of the flash. Of all the objects on display in the museum, I was most taken with the seventh century clothing, I think that was right, there were only two pieces on display, another couple from the sixteenth or seventeenth century. The mind just boggled to try and understand fabric lasting through all these centuries, considering some of todays’ barely last a year or so.
I spent two or three hours here just wandering, trying to take it all in eventually after sitting down , I decided to move on and have a look at something else and see if there was a suitable place for lunch. Leaving Topkapi I started back out to the street but went right instead of left, looking across the road there was a sign that said Basilica Cistern. I had not heard or seen anything on this at all, so it’s off to find out its whereabouts!
It didn’t take long and soon I was slipping in the door not realising it was actually the exit!
Down the stairs and its another of those ‘wow’ moments that have been a daily occurrence since travelling began. As a water cistern obviously it will mostly be underground. This one was beautiful with all the graceful columns holding up the roof. In the bottom of the tank healthy looking fish swim in what looks to be less than half a metre of water. There were walkways all through the complex for people to wander and marvel at the splendour of the Cistern.
Built by the romans in around the 6th century it is certainly a wonderful relic of the past. I couldn’t believe it was one of many underneath Istanbul. Of interest particularly were the heads of Medusa on some blocks supporting a couple of the columns. Probably just used for support but there are theories of course as to why they were used as they were. I think it was for practical purposes! The Romans keep me fascinated finding out their skills.
