Istanbul - Kandilli Observatory, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, 3/30/2006

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Most viewed - Istanbul - Kandilli Observatory, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, 3/30/2006

Blue Mosque - Fountain and Minaret579 viewsOne of the six minarets of the Blue Mosque towers over the fountain in the forecourt of the Mosque.

Path of Totality546 viewsThis large map shows the path of totality of the 2006 eclipse across Turkey. Istanbul was not in the path, so the observatory saw only a partial eclipse.

Monumental Gate539 viewsThe main gate to the courtyard of the Blue Mosque is described as "monumental but narrow."

Royal Loge528 viewsThe retiring rooms of the Royal Loge were the headquarters of the Grand Vizier during the suppression of the Janissary Corps in 1826.

Richmond Hotel Lobby524 viewsLocated on Istiklal Street in the Beyoĝlu district of Istanbul, the Richmond was well-placed to optimize our navigation of the city.

Etiquette521 viewsVisitors are required to remove their shoes and carry them in a bag provided free of charge. Both men and women are expected to dress modestly (no short pants or skirts), and head coverings for women are mandatory.

Entrance to the Blue Mosque520 viewsAdmission to the Blue Mosque is obtained through the forecourt, which itself is entered via this imposing gateway.

Gateway to the Forecourt513 viewsDecorated with the names of the Caliphs and verses from the Koran by the great 17th-century calligrapher Seyyid Kasim Gubari.

Tiles511 viewsThe interior of the Blue Mosque is lined with over ceramic 20,000 tiles. These were made in Iznik, the former Nicaea, which was a major center for the production of fine tiles.

Kandilli Observatory Telescope509 viewsThis venerable 200 mm Zeiss refractor was located in the dome atop the Observatory. It was purchased in 1918, delivered in 1924, and became operational in 1935 with the completion of the observatory building.

Basilica Cistern508 viewsThis huge underground cistern was built in the reign of Justinian (527-565 AD) to provide a filtered water supply for the Imperial Palace and surrounding area.

Entertainment Value508 viewsThe Basilica Cistern has been featured in a number of movies, including the James Bond thriller From Russia With Love, in which Bond took advantage of its location under the Soviet Consulate to get access to a cryptographic machine. In reality, the Consulate is nowhere near the Cistern.

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