Istanbul is located on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait and was formerly known as Constantinople. It is the old capital of Turkey and situated between Europe and Asia. The author visited many historical sites in Istanbul over the summer, including the iconic Blue Mosque known for its six minarets and 260 blue windows, Hagia Sophia which was originally a church but is now a mosque, and the Basilica Cistern underground reservoir dating back to Roman times.

2. Our ship stopped in port Karakoy

3. The port is separated from the city by Galata Bridge. Under the bridge are situated a lot of small restaurants where you can taste a lot fish dishes. On the bridge you can see people who catch fish.

4. European part of Istanbul is divided into two parts - the Sultan Ahmed and the new. In S ultan Ahmed is situ a ted the oldest historical monuments of Istanbul. One of them is the Blue Mosque. Behind me you can see this Mosque. The Blue Mosque is the only mosque in Turkey that has six minarets.

5. Before the prayer , it is obligatory to wash your hands, face and feet and in the yard of every mosque is located a spring .

6. Blue mosque is named so because it ha d 260 blue windows , made of V enice glass . A t the moment , the windows are made of ordinary glass.

8. On the first day I visited a u nique orthodox church , Ay a Sof y a , whic h is at the same time a Muslim mosque . This church was built by T h eodose Emper o r . It was n’ t named in honor of a S aint , but in honer of a saint idea, which of G r eek language means ”ay a sof y a”. Turks have strengthened the church and built 4 minarets

9. In the church yard there are remnant s of the old Greek church . In the picture you can see one column.

10. In the entrance there are the sheep that still remained from the old Greek church and it means that we are the sheep of Jesus .

11. Inside the church there are a few square icons that the Turks had not destroyed. One of them is in front of you . On t he icon is drawn in mosaic Saint Helena - mother of Constantine .

12. On the walls of the church are draw in mosaic 4 angels . S ometime s their face s w ere closed with a metal. At t he moment their face s are open ed.

13. Inside of the church was very dark. To make the room light , the T urks put the lamps with oil.

14. And in the church there are small barrels with oil .

15. On the church walls there are 9 medals on which is written ” Allah is with us . ”

16. Also, in the region ”Sultan Ahmed” there is on e Roman Hippodrome and an Egyptian obelisk. In the world exist only 4 of th e se obelisks and one is in Paris.

17. Across the street from the church of Saint S ph ia is found Basilique Cistern . In Roman times there was reservoir of water and it was filled all with water. Now there are drops of water of ceiling. The Cistern has 300 columns. In Roman times the water in Cistern was kept for 3 years . Sometimes in Istanbul there were more reservoirs of water . But now rest only this. Ininside were built the bridges to be visited by people

18. I n one of the columns was carved the head of ”Medusa Gargon” If a person looked at Medusa, he/she turned into stane. The Greek hero Perseus cut off Medusa's head

19. If y ou will visit I sta n bul , I recommend you to visit Topkapy Palace It is the old residence of the Turkish sultan. The palace was built by Sultan Ahmed He lived there with his wife Roxalana who was stolen by a Ukraine Turkish jassarys . I didn’t have the occasion to visit the palace.

20. I recommended you to visit Istanbul. It is a very beautiful city with plenty of green, monuments and very friendly people.