GOASIAPLUS January 2017

Sacred Sites
The inside of
Hagia Sofia
that used to
be a church
then coverted
into a mosque.
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey has landed on one traveller's must-see list after
another in recent years, as more people start to take
note of the diverse wonders that this country offers.
Its largest city, Istanbul holds many of the attractions
that Turkey has become famous for, with one of them
being the many historical and sacred sites that colour
its landscape.
Hagia Sophia, or Ayasofya in Turkish, is a church
built during the Byzantine empire and has undergone
many trials over the years. It's currently up to its
third form, as the first and second incarnations were
completely destroyed. Additionally, it has been revived
in various ways, having been consecrated as a church
in 537, then converted to a mosque in 1453, and finally
finding peace as a museum in 1935. Many consider
it a must-visit, thanks to its vast expanse, elaborate
architecture - be sure to look out for the intricate
mosaics - and religious significance.
If you like the idea of setting foot inside a lavish
palace to delve inside the lives of the Ottoman imperial
family, don't miss out on Topkapi Palace. Between the
15th and 19th centuries, it was occupied by the likes
of sultans, eunuchs, and concubines. They divided their
lives between the hundreds of rooms and chambers
that make up this fortress, and at the peak of Topkapi
Palace's grandeur, there were 4,000 people taking up
residence here, with smaller establishments such as
bakeries and mosques within its walls. However, luxury
is not all there is to it. It also houses many specimens of
Ottoman architecture, as well as relics integral to Islam,
such as the Prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword.
The grounds
of Topkapi
Palace featuring
many buildings
for different
purposes of the
imperial family.
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