The myriad religious views that are explicitly displayed were my very impression of Istanbul. Her-story that stretches from the Roman era to the Ataturk has given Istanbul a flavour that exudes mystery, contrast, Euro-Asia fusion, past glories and gloominess.
It’s an old city I would say, with too many buildings in too little hilly land. I don’t deny that, the tourist literatures played a role in influencing my opinion with standard vocabulary such as “Constantinople”, “Byzantine” and “religiously-tolerant society”.
In our river cruise along the Bosphorus, the guide drew our attentions to the popular palaces, destroyed castles, used-to-be significant buildings and some worth-mentioning ones. One particular narration that came on the PA, that caught my attention, was when she mentioned that there was exactly a spot where all three major religious buildings located side-by-side. The mosque, the church and the synagogue, are somewhat a grateful co-incident that could be utilised as evidence of how different religions can exist harmoniously. Well, I began to question, was that her standard text or she thought that we are too ignorant to know about the synagogue bombing recently.
Another building alongside the Bosphorus that made an impression is a white building that were utilised as a wartime hospital. Florence Nightingale is believed to have worked in the hospital and founded modern medicine. I wonder, if the story worth believing.
Istanbul is a city with the flag of Turkey hoisted almost everywhere. When queried whether it was due to some Independence Day Celebration like how our part of world usually does, the reply was simply, Turkish are proud of their country. Istanbul did not hit me as a great place to venture, but I certainly count the visits to the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar as somewhere really different from where I used to see and be.
