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June 13, 2013

Thursday’s Child: Istanbul, Turkey

This month, I’m sharing some of my memories of Turkey, a beautiful country that’s been in the headlines this month for the protests in Taksim Square, and the government’s response to them.

One of my most vivid recollections of Istanbul was how the city engaged our senses.  The morning we visited the Blue Mosque, we exited the building to see a parade in the adjacent Sultan Ahmet Square. Although we didn’t know what it was commemorating, the stirring music and gorgeous uniforms held us spellbound. And the five daily calls to prayer that issued from the mosques were captivating.

The beautiful Rustem Pasha Mosque is one of the best-hidden sites in Istanbul, but well worth the effort to find.  Built in the 1560s, it was named for the Grand Vizier who had recently died. It’s located in a very busy section of the old town, literally on top of some of the stores in the market so their revenues could help run the mosque.  It’s hidden down a tiny alley in the noisy commercial section, but once we entered it was a haven of artistry and serenity. The interior walls are covered in some of the most glorious collections of tile produced in the Ottoman era, including the rich red hues that were so difficult to manufacture.  The mosque is tiny and difficult to find – and we were thrilled to have visited.

When we left Rustem Pasha, we walked to the nearby Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar because it was originally built to sell goods brought back from traders who travelled to Egypt.  Like the mosque, it dates to the 1560s, and probably seemed as exotic to those sixteenth century city residents as it does to twenty-first century tourists.  In addition to spices, merchants sell rose blossoms, honeycomb, dried fruit and, of course, Turkish Delight. The fragrances were bewitching!

Thinking of Istanbul with great fondness.

Filed Under: Turkey

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz Berg says

    June 14, 2013 at 1:18 am

    Wow, I'd LOVE to visit that spice bazaar…I can only imagine the aroma. Another wonderful trip, Beth!

    Reply
  2. Belinda says

    June 14, 2013 at 2:43 am

    The media here isn't even really covering the situation. They are focused more on starlets!

    Reply
  3. Angie Schneider says

    June 14, 2013 at 3:27 am

    o yes, I would love to visit the Spice Bazaar too. Power to the Turkish folks!
    Once again, thanks, Beth, for sharing!
    Angie

    Reply
  4. Paula Montenegro says

    June 14, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    A place I would absolutely like to visit some day. Thanks for the tour Beth! Just the idea of the markets is enough to captivate my mind.

    Reply
  5. Laura Dembowski says

    June 14, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    Wow! All those spices are really something. Turkey sounds like a great place to visit.

    Reply
  6. lisa is cooking says

    June 14, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    The colors in these photos from the tiles, the spices, and the market are so pretty. Sounds like a fantastic visit.

    Reply
  7. Guru Uru says

    June 15, 2013 at 2:42 am

    Istanbul looks so wonderful!, I cannot get enough of the spices 😀

    Cheers
    CCU

    Reply
  8. Barbara says

    June 15, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Beth, the colors are wonderful. Could almost smell that market!

    Reply
  9. Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says

    June 15, 2013 at 6:27 pm

    Beth, what wonderful pictures of Istanbul – I imagine going to the markets must be such a joyous experience – the spices and dried fruits that are on sale there must be amazing! What a wonderful place to pay a visit to!
    Have a lovely weekend!

    Reply
  10. grace says

    June 15, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    i do love a good bazaar. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Jemi Fraser says

    June 15, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    Wow – that spice bazaar is awesome!!!

    Reply
  12. Monet says

    June 16, 2013 at 3:51 am

    My best friend went to Turkey last year and she shared many of the same memories as you did here. I loved seeing these photographs. It makes me want to travel there all the more!

    Reply
  13. nancy at good food matters says

    June 17, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I would love to visit Turkey—my daughter and her husband had a marvelous trip there—so much exotic beauty, so accessible. Love the gorgeous mounds of spice.

    Reply

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Welcome to Of Muses and Meringues. Thanks for stopping by! I am Beth! Writer, traveller, baker, mother.
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