The historical heart - Turkey

The old town, found on the European shore, between the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn, is a testimony of the different civilisations. The urban organisation of the neighbourhood of Sultanahmet, for example, has been built like Antic Rome as shown by the actual esplanade where you can still see the ancient hippodrome (horse racing track), living centre of the beautiful Constantinople. Sadly, following the multiple raids on the town, nowadays there is not much left of the ancient splendours if not for the two obelisks and the Serpentine Column of Delphi. Facing the esplanade, the Blue Mosque symbolises the Ottoman period. Built in the 17th century, under the order of Sultan Ahmet I, the building is recognisable to its six minarets, sign of its supreme sacredness. Inside, numerous windows and sumptuous stained glass windows let just enough light through to admire the beauty of the ceramic tiles that line the walls and represent flowers such as the rose or the tulip...

Hagia Sophia