(Michelle) Today we went to the two biggest tourist attractions in Sultanahmet, the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque. We have been in a fair number of churches now from recent (La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona) to Gothic cathedrals (like Notre Dam) but none other have been as awe inspiring to me as the Ayasofya. It is just so big and even with the massive scaffolding in some parts, still totally beautiful. This church has been through some struggles to survive, it had to be rebuilt 3 times in ancient history, the final version still standing was completed sometime in the 7th century AD. Then it was converted from a Christian Church to a mosque in the 15th century, but Ataturk (the “father” of modern Turkey) turned it into a museum in the 1930s. The second floor had some stunning mosaic art that was tiled over when it was turned into a mosque, but is now in the process of being restored.
The Blue Mosque, which is literally right across from the Ayasofya, was built in the 1600s. Perhaps the converted Ayasofya was not the exact vision that the Sultan at the time, Ahmet I, had in mind for a mosque, and so the Blue Mosque was created. This mosque is still used for worship, so proper respectful attire is required. You also take off your shoes upon entering. I liked the feel of the plush carpet beneath my toes. This place definitely rivals the Ayasofya in size and beauty, but purely because of the age of the Ayasofya, I think it is a bit more of an architectural wonder.
(TJ) The Aysofya is an amazing site and I think probably one of the 7 wonders of the world. It’s amazing that they could build something this size way back when with just bricks and mortar. Also very cool to see some of the mosaics that were covered over when it was converted to a Mosque and then uncovered again in the 1930’s. Both the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque are beautiful at night; there is nice park between the two structures that has fountains and gardens, nice place to chill out in the evening, which we did a couple of times.
(Michelle) Today we went to the two biggest tourist attractions in Sultanahmet, the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque. We have been in a fair number of churches now from recent (La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona) to Gothic cathedrals (like Notre Dam) but none other have been as awe inspiring to me as the Ayasofya. It is just so big and even with the massive scaffolding in some parts, still totally beautiful. This church has been through some struggles to survive, it had to be rebuilt 3 times in ancient history, the final version still standing was completed sometime in the 7th century AD. Then it was converted from a Christian Church to a mosque in the 15th century, but Ataturk (the “father” of modern Turkey) turned it into a museum in the 1930s. The second floor had some stunning mosaic art that was tiled over when it was turned into a mosque, but is now in the process of being restored.
The Blue Mosque, which is literally right across from the Ayasofya, was built in the 1600s. Perhaps the converted Ayasofya was not the exact vision that the Sultan at the time, Ahmet I, had in mind for a mosque, and so the Blue Mosque was created. This mosque is still used for worship, so proper respectful attire is required. You also take off your shoes upon entering. I liked the feel of the plush carpet beneath my toes. This place definitely rivals the Ayasofya in size and beauty, but purely because of the age of the Ayasofya, I think it is a bit more of an architectural wonder. 
(TJ) The Aysofya is an amazing site and I think probably one of the 7 wonders of the world. It’s amazing that they could build something this size way back when with just bricks and mortar. Also very cool to see some of the mosaics that were covered over when it was converted to a Mosque and then uncovered again in the 1930’s. Both the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque are beautiful at night; there is nice park between the two structures that has fountains and gardens, nice place to chill out in the evening, which we did a couple of times.
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