Day 12 - Istanbul Final Day

This will be our last day in Istanbul. We’ll start by heading to a the Kariye Museum, really the “Church of the Holy Savior in Chora”, or simply “Chora Church”. “Chora” means “”in the country”. This name started because when this church was first built in the 4th century it was outside the original city walls.

The walls were later extended to include this church, which was extensively rebuilt and repaired for several centuries, beginning in the 11th century. A part of that renovation was to cover the walls with beautiful frescos (paintings on fresh plaster) and magnificent mosaics.
In the Ottoman period, the church was converted into a mosque, which created a dilemma. Moslems are forbidden to make images of humans, especially in their places of worship. However, these were images of people Islam considered as holy prophets - Jesus and Mary. Destroying them would be sacrilege. The solution was to cover them with plaster and that covering protected them until it was removed in the 20th century. They are amazing.

After Chora, we’ll try to make a few brief stops at some additional Byzantine sites. A part of the ancient city walls that remains in good shape and possibly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus (if it open…it has been in renovation).

Next, we’ll travel to the largest mosque in Istanbul, the Mosque of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, built in 1557.

Designed by the Ottoman Empire's greatest architect, Sinan, the Suleiman mosque dominates views of the city from afar. The mosque is actually a series of buildings and tombs that are now tightly packed into urban Istanbul.
Next, we’ll head to the Egyptian Spice Market. Sitting at the docks of the Golden Horn, ships from Egypt brought spices and other luxuries to this waiting marketplace. This site has been a market since the early Byzantine times. In addition to the shops inside the covered mall, be sure to look for the shops outside that cater to the needs of average Turks. Don’t miss the Turkish coffee roaster…just follow your nose.

After lunch we will head to the Grand Bazaar, one of the greatest shopping experiences in the world. Centuries before people shopped at the “Mall of America”, people came to this marketplace that boasts over 4000 shops. Be prepared for serious bargaining and a lot of “Hello, my friend. Where are you from? I have a brother that lives there. Please come into my shop…”
After a short introduction to the Bazaar, you’ll have a choice. You can return immediately by our bus to our hotel or you will be able to stay and shop till you drop. The hotel is only a few minutes taxi ride away and we’ll be sure you have directions for a taxi driver (and information on what you should pay…many Istanbul cabbies are very creative in their accounting).
For those who have not had a chance to experience a Turkish Bath, you may wish to come back to the hotel and we will direct you to the (overpriced) Cagaloglu Hamam bath. This bath is over 300 years old and is in a class all its own. They are use to tourists who know nothing about bathing at a Turkish bath and will help you through each step. There are separate sections for men and women. You will leave cleaner than you have even been in your life, but it is not an experience for those who are extremely modest.

Tonight at the hotel we will have a farewell dinner and communion, as we try to find ways to pack all the things we bought into our suitcases for an early morning departure to the airport.