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Istanbul's blue tile paradise

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Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#21

Post by objektif »

ChainOfFools wrote: post #19
objektif wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are doing Istanbul and Rome a disservice by putting them in the same league with London and Paris.

Seconding this, these cities have a rich history but it's hardly a footnote compared to the chronology baked in to the stratigraphy of Rome and even more so, Istanbul. The latter city bridges two continents, and it shows it and feels it in every respect. plus, cats. In what city can you double your entertainment just by carrying a small laser pointer with you everywhere.

Istanbul is an incredibly complex city with endless things to do. However, it is just that I have never had this feeling of being in an ancient metropolis in any other city other than Istanbul. It may be the huge mosques on the hills combined with the natural beauty of the Bosphorus strait.

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#22

Post by njpwerner »

ChainOfFools wrote: post #17
pirate787 wrote: post #6

The Hagia Sophia "mosque" was a Christian orthodox church that dates from Roman times and was a secular museum from the 1930s until 2020. That decision to reclassify as a mosque is widely condemned by historians and others.

They will never fully convert back to a mosque, absolutely no way they want the loss of tourism that will result from making probably the most iconic draw for tourism to the city a place that isn't open to the public in all respects. Last time I was there a few years ago I recall there's a small section near one of the lower galleries off to the side that has been reopened for use as a sort-of-mosque but it's the siz…

They have changed it since you last visited. It is now primarily used as a mosque instead of a museum. The old floors have been covered by a carpet and it hosts several prayers a day.

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/istanbul/istanbuls-reverte...

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#23

Post by DrJokepu »

Interesting thing about these tiles: the earliest ones were trying to imitate tiles from China, but Ottoman artisans didn't have access to the same dyes, which is why they have this distinctive blue color.

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#24

Post by treesciencebot »

objektif wrote: post #18
fsniper wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Istanbul you can possibly find best examples of many if not all of international cousines. It is a city for the all types of foodies.

I would definitely disagree with this. Apart from Turkish food you will probably only find good American, French and Italian ( may be few more) food in Turkiye. But the good news is you really do not need anything other that Turkish food because it is just amazing.

Especially true for south / far-east Asian cuisines. Unlike many other major western metropolises, Istanbul simply lacks any authentic chinese, indian, vietnamese or japanese places. I wish (as a resident) we had more exposure to those cultures through better / relaxed immigration policies in the past.

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#26

Post by m00dy »

objektif wrote: post #18
fsniper wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Istanbul you can possibly find best examples of many if not all of international cousines. It is a city for the all types of foodies.

I would definitely disagree with this. Apart from Turkish food you will probably only find good American, French and Italian ( may be few more) food in Turkiye. But the good news is you really do not need anything other that Turkish food because it is just amazing.

that's right. Turkish food is the best one Ive experienced so far.

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#27

Post by m00dy »

Just got back from Istanbul and let me tell you, the city's attractions blew me away! I stayed in Kadıköy and Sultanahmet, and it was mind-blowing to walk around a place that has seen so many changes throughout history. I mean, we're talking Roman temples turned into churches, then mosques, and now some cool museums. They just keep adding new stuff like tiles and carpets, giving the city a whole new vibe each time. And the best part? The Great Palace Mosaics Museum! Seriously, those mosaics were next level—so detailed and vibrant. I'm already planning my next trip back. Istanbul, you've got me hooked!

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#28

Post by pazimzadeh »

> What makes the mosque truly special, however, isn’t simply that it’s hidden. It is the balance between its understated view from the street and an extravagant, richly adorned interior

This is the exact same feeling you get when visiting Iran. Except for Isfahan, which is also beautiful on the outside

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#29

Post by goodbyesf »

mrtksn wrote: post #12

Istanbul is in the same league with London, Paris, Rome and probably nothing else. Not only the endless layers of multi-millennial history, even the current state of the inhabitants is extremely diverse. It's also surprisingly safe. IMHO the city got ruined in so many ways during the Turkish economic boom the last 5 decades and yet you can tell that the city "still got it". In your runtime analogy, the current state…

> Istanbul is in the same league with London, Paris, Rome

London and Paris do not belong on that list. Rome is on another level. Paris and London are a few levels below somewhere. Heck I'd say istanbul is a level above rome since the turks added onto constantinople and added a richness and extra layer that rome never got. Not to mention that the eastern roman empire was far more impressive that than the western roman empire.

> and probably nothing else.

No, it is in the same league with many of the ancient cities in the region and elsewhere around the world. Cities tend to be built on top of each other not just today but throughout history.

> the islamist started protesting him for not respecting their values.

Good. Considering turkey isn't a western nation, why should their mayor peddle 'western values' as you stated. Last I checked, turkey is a muslim turkic nation and lets hope they hold onto their values.

Re: Istanbul's blue tile paradise

#30

Post by egello »

m00dy wrote: post #27

Just got back from Istanbul and let me tell you, the city's attractions blew me away! I stayed in Kadıköy and Sultanahmet, and it was mind-blowing to walk around a place that has seen so many changes throughout history. I mean, we're talking Roman temples turned into churches, then mosques, and now some cool museums. They just keep adding new stuff like tiles and carpets, giving the city a whole new vibe each time. A…

Is this a paraphrased copy of the top comment on the page or am I tripping?
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