7 to 8 October 2018, Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey.

Links go to colour posts (with more information and historical context). If an image does not have a link, the preceding one applies.

Click on any image to see it larger (if on a PC at least).

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Hagia Sophia.

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Passageway to Mezzanine Floor, Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia.

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Looking down on the main hall and up to the main dome.

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Closeup of Christ Pantocrator (or the all-powerful) from the Deesis Mosaic.

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The Comnenus mosaic, dating from 1122, shows John II Comnenus (Emperor 1118 to 1143), Virgin Mary and Christ Child, and Empress Irene (from Hungary).

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The Empress Zoe mosaic, from the 11th century, shows Constantine IX Monomarchus (Emperor 1042 to 1055), Christ Pantocrator and Empress Zoe. .

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Mysterious inscription just below a marble hand rail.

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Remarkable marble panelling.

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Graffiti on a marble hand rail.

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Heading down to the ground level again.

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Evidence of differing building projects in different eras.

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Looking up at the main dome.

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Mihrab, Mingar and Apse.

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Looking up at old Christian and later Islamic decorations..

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The Vestibule Mosaic.

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Central part of bronze door from Hellenistic Temple of Tarsus.

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Altar of the Hagia Irene.

Topkapi Palace.

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Inside Hagia Irene.

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The gateway to the Topkapi Palace.

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Views of the Bosphorous.

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Kara Mustafa Pasha Pavilion.

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Mother of pearl inlay wall decorations.

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Mother of pearl inlay wall decorations.

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A small viewing platform..

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Baghdad Kiosk.

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Looking south, beyond the Bosphorous at the Sea of Marmara.

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Palmyran funerary reliefs.

(Istanbul Archaeology Museum).

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Aphrodite removing her sandal.

(Istanbul Archaeology Museum).

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Ring-necked parakeet.

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A surviving fragment of Roman-era construction.

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Night shopping.

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Hagia Sophia at night.

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Looking up at one of the side domes.

Blue Mosque.

Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern.

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Looking up at one of the side domes.

Blue Mosque.

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Looking out of Blue Mosque towards Hagia Sophia.

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