Istanbul
The largest city in Turkey with a population of 14.4 million. The
largest urban agglomeration in Europe and the Middle East. The European
and Asian sides of the city are separated by the Bosphorus strait.
Tuesday, 29th April 2014
View from a boat on the Golden Horn, a wide inlet that leads off the Bosphorus just before it meets the Sea of Marmara. The Golden Horn creates a peninsula on which Istanbul’s historic centre stands, partially separated from the rest of the sprawling city. In front, one of Istanbul’s many sea-buses, which ferry people to destinations around the city. Behind, a main road jammed with cars and further back the rear of the large 17th century New Mosque.
View of a waterside promenade busy with people. This is on the edge of the historic Sultanahmet district.
The New Mosque (Yeni Cami). The main dome can be seen standing at 36 metres in height. It is surrounded by 66 smaller domes and semi-domes. One of the two minarets can be seen on the right side. Construction began in 1597, but was abandoned due to political discontent in 1603. The building then stood as a ruin until work restarted following the Great Fire of Istanbul in 1660 and was completed in 1665.
A modern tram standing at a stop, again seen from the boat. Several tram lines run through the city. The New Mosque again in the background.
On the deck of the boat. People looking at the view and taking photos.
View of activity near to local sea-bus terminals. People standing waiting to board boats. Kiosks and stalls selling food and other supplies. Queues of cars on the road behind.
Buildings on the slope up into the centre of the old city (Sultanahmet).
Another view from the boat. In the background, a wooded hill with the Topkapi Palace, mostly obscured, on top.
Ankara
The capital of Turkey and the second largest city after Istanbul.
Thursday, 1st May 2014
Tony and Tatiana at the Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. The mausoleum complex is located on a hill to the west of the centre. The site was constructed in stages between 1944 and 1953. Millions of people visit the mausoleum each year.
Tony and Tatiana next to a ceremonial guard standing along side a sentry box. The guard is dressed in dark green army uniform with a metal helmet and a rifle at his side. This is at the side of the large Ceremonial Plaza, which is 129 metres long and 84 metres wide. The Hall of Honour, containing Atatürk’s tomb, is in the background.
Tatiana and Tony inside the Hall of Honour. Atatürk’s sarcophagus can be seen standing on a raised platform. The 40-tonne sarcophagus is symbolic, with Atatürk’s actual tomb located below. The Hall of Honour is 41.6 metres by 57.3 metres in area and is 17 metres in height.
Tony and Tatiana outside the Hall of Honour. Behind tall square columns support the main entrance portico.
Tatiana and Tony either side of a stone lion. This is one of twelve pairs of lions that line the Road of Lions, a 262-metre long pedestrian walkway leading to the Ceremonial Plaza and mausoleum. The lions are carved in a similar style to Hittite archaeological finds.
Tony and Tatiana in the centre of the Road of Lions.
At the end of the Road of Lions, looking towards a road that leads to the site entrance.
View along the Road of Lions. The sides are lined with flower beds and trees. Some more of the stone lions are just visible in front.
One of a pair of buildings at the beginning of the Road of Lions. One of these houses a model of the Anitkabir complex and photos taken during its construction.
Tatiana and Tony in front of three stylised male statues. The statue on the right is a soldier, in the middle a peasant in village clothing and to the left a youth and intellectual holding a book.
On the opposite side of the Road of Lions, three female statues, dressed in traditional national dress.
Close-up of Tatiana and Tony with steps leading up to the beginning of the Road of Lions behind.