“….now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople”

The entrance to Topkapi Palace, the grand palace for the Ottoman sultans for over 3 centuries – our guide, John, poses with Hästa.
The Hagia Sophia museum – first a basilica (537 AD), then converted to a mosque in 1453 and finally a museum in 1932.
The old city lights up at night – this is the 400 year old Blue Mosque – with its six minarets. We bagged our shoes (can't wear them- disrespectful) and rushed inside to see it before the doors were closed to us for prayers.