Ortaköy (Istanbul), Turkey – Photo Friday
by Chris Christensen Add commentscategories: europe, photography
< !– google_ad_section_start –>One of the images that I often see on the tourism brochures for Istanbul and Turkey is this image of the town of Ortaköy at the base of the Bosphorus Bridge on the European side. This picturesque and relatively modern mosque is bright on the inside and the exterior makes a wonderful counterpoint to the bridge. The bridge reminds me a great deal of San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge, especially at night when they light it up with lights that change color. Around the pigeon-filled square are a number of cafes with outdoor seating. This picture is from a beautiful day in February and I can only imagine it is more lovely when the trees have not lost their leaves. Near Ortaköy you can catch a boat to cruise up the Bosphorus to the fortresses, one on the European side and one on the Asian side, built by Mehmed the Conquerer and his father in preparation for the successful siege of Istanbul in 1453.< !– google_ad_section_end –>
see video of Ortaköy at the end of Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul Turkey – Amateur Traveler Video Episode 16
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Amy @ The Q Family
Says:June 12th, 2009 at 7:07 am
It does look similar to the Golden Gate bridge but here I think it has its own charm with the mosque at the foreground. Beautiful view.
Peter Carey
Says:June 12th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Chris, I love the contrast between old and new and the overall busy nature of the photo. Thanks for sharing it!
marina
Says:June 12th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Every time I see pictures of Instanbul it just seems to call me more and more! This picture looks a bit surreal with the building on the shore line.
Photo Friday – Beautiful Lago Amatitlan
Cate
Says:June 12th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Ditto with marina, I just want to book the next flight there. This pic is good, it’s very candid, people going about their work, even the pigeons.
Tim
Says:June 12th, 2009 at 9:29 am
The Mosque juxtaposed with the bridge makes this fascinating. I find churches, mosques and synagogues to be some of the most picturesque building and I love to take pictures of them.
Dominique
Says:June 12th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
This is a cool juxtaposition of old and modern. Bridges hold a special fascination for me, but the mosque looks like the more intriguing element here
Esra Aksu
Says:June 28th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Ageless city
‘Napoleon once said, “If the whole world was a single country, Istanbul would be the capital,”