Istanbul to Rome

A leisurely start to the day with an 8.30am departure from the hotel. Even got a chance to ‘skype’ my little grandson in Albury to say g’day. It was great to see him and ‘chat’ to him, and chat to Jane as well, of course.

First stop was the Hagia Sophia, a museum which started as a Christian church in the mid 300s, with this main structure being built through the 500s, and then converted to a Muslim mosque after 1453 when Ottomans took over Constantinople. They added some minarets, plastered over icons and added other decorations. It was the biggest church in the world and remained so until St Peter’s in Rome, St Paul’s in London and (probably) St Paul’s Church in New York were built.
Hagia Sophia

Column at Hagia Sophia

The size is breathtaking. You cannot help but stand in awe, both inside and outside, and ponder the sheer technical enormity of constructing these buildings around 550AD. What scaffolding would they use? Ramps? Levers and pulleys to shift materials up to these heights? The number of lives lost in construction? (OH & S is not a big factor in Turkey now, so what was it like back then?). How did plans get ‘drawn’? Apart from these and other considerations, the enclosed space inside is awesome. Photos probably won’t do it justice – but I’ll try anyway. Oh and by the way, that column I am hugging or trying to lift is actually plundered or recycled from Artemis’ Temple in Ephesus, which you might recall was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. How about that for a link with history! I didn’t manage to move it, in case you were wondering.

The rest of the morning was spent at the ‘Spice Market’ near the current Istanbul mosque. It was another great experience to wander through this area. Very like the Grand Bazaar, except a lot more shops sold spices! Guess there is something in a name. It really is good fun. Many traders are pushy, but some are quite funny, especially when they identify you as Australian.

The flight to Rome was uneventful, but in future I will go to seat allocation at the same time as Glen Roff. How come he always swings a seat with plenty of leg room? Anyway it worked out fine from about half way.

Our accommodation in Rome is a converted convent and it is very comfortable, facing on to the Tiber (not that there is a view out of the rooms) and a gentle 10 minutes from the Vatican. What a spot. We walked to a nearby Church for Mass with the Bishop. It was perhaps two minutes around the corner if you walked slowly. It was the Church of St Dorothy, who was a Turkish woman and martyr of the Church with a church dedicated to her in Rome! How very Roman!

Mass at the Church of St Dorothy

The interesting plaque in the church indicates that Maximilian Kolbe was a padre here in his early years.

Plaque at St Dorothy's Church

Looking forward to how tomorrow unfolds after being part of the general audience of the Pope, then going underground at the Vatican.

Must finish this now so I can go for a short walk before bed. Lots of little cafes and restaurants in the area. Just like I thought or hoped Rome would be like.