This Bazaar is one of the oldest covered markets in the world. There are 61

covered streets and over 4000 shops. Now, we know that the Grand Bazaar

hosts between 250 000 and 400 000 visitors daily. There are 18 doors. The

construction began in 1455, just 2 years after the conquest of Constantinople

by Ottomans. It was built by Mehmet II the Conqueror. At the beginning, the

Grand Bazaar was a market covered by wood. It spreads out over 30 ha and

it’s organized in districts (by kinds of products which are in shops : leather,

copper, carpets, jewels, lamps, clothes...). There are 58 streets and many

mosaics which are blue, red, and green. The Grand Bazaar is located in the

center of Istanbul. The current building dates from 1956.

My opinion: From my point of view, the Grand Bazaar is one of the best

covered market in the world. We could see that the merchants speak many

languages, we spoke in French with one of them! I really enjoyed visiting the

Grand Bazaar, because I could buy some things, like loukoums, candlesticks,

magnets and seasonings. In my opinion, the colors of the market were really

beautiful, like a rainbow. The lamps were shining, it was wonderful ! It’s like

being a kid in a fairytale or in the tales of the Arabian Nights!

We visited the museum « Santa Sophia » on Tuesday in Istanbul. In my opinion, the Santa Sophia’s visit is one

of the best visits of the trip in Turkey. « Hagia Sophia » means « Holy Wisdom » or « Sagesse divine ». Sainte

Sophie was built in 325 by Constantin. The religious building was an Eastern Orthodox from 537 to 1204.

Then, a Roman Catholic Cathedral, and an eastern Orthodox Cathedral from 1231 to 1453. During the fall of

Constantinople in 1453, Santa Sophia became a Mosque and four minarets were added. First, we learnt that the

church was converted into a Mosque by Mehmed II, who conquered Constantinople. Secondly, we learned that

the religious building was a Mosque from 1453 to 1931. Since 1935, the building has been a Museum. Thirdly,

we learnt that Santa Sophia is 55 m high, and is 82 m in length. The building belongs to the byzantine

architecture. Until the Islamic conversion to 1616 ( building of the Blue Mosque), Ayasofya was the main

Mosque in Istanbul.

The dome of Santa Sophia Santa Sophia’s interior

Inside, we can see many mosaics :Imperial

Gate, Southwestern entrance mosaic, Apse

mosaic, Emperor Alexander mosaic, Empress

Zoe mosaic and many others...

Deëisis mosaic

The designers of the building were Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles.

My opinion : I liked visiting Santa Sophia. It was very beautiful and pleasant! The

building is between light and dark, like « clair-obscur ». The story of the religious

building was very interesting. In fact, I am interested in history. Now, I understand

why it’s very famous for its architecture. Secondly, I really enjoyed the mosaics

which were so beautiful and representative of the byzantine past and depict Jesus,

saints, emperors or empresses.

This building was the place of residence (palace) of the Ottoman Sultans

between 1465 and 1856 and the seat of the central government. Then, an

accommodation for ranked officiers (1853-1924) and a museum from 1924 to

present time. « Topkapi Sayari » means « Palais de la porte des Canons ». First,

we learnt that the architectural style is Ottoman and Baroque. The palace is

located on the Sarayburnu. We could see the wonderful view of the Bosphorus.

Secondly, we learnt that it spreads over 70 ha (700 000 m²). The palace is

surrounded by 5 km of walls and was built by sultan Mehmet II. It was changed

by the modifications because of the earthquake in 1509 and the fire in 1665.

Then, we learned that the harem was built during the 16th century. It was located

in the private rooms of the sultan. The sultan’s mother, the servants, the sultan’s

children and the sultan’s wives lived there. There were 300 women, and 100

eunuchs to keep an eye on them. The palace consists in four main courtyards and

many other buildings. Since 1985, the Topkapi Palace has become part of the

Unesco World Heritage.

My opinion: From my point of view, the visit of the Topkapi palace was very

interesting! The palace shows the life of the sultans and their court. The view of

the Bosphorus is really amazing and pleasant. I think that the palace shows the

cultural wealth of the Ottoman time. Just a word for this visit : Fantastic!

Merhaba : Salut/Hello

Günaydin : Bonjour (le matin)/ Good morning

Güle güle: Au revoir/Good Bye

hoş geldiniz : Bienvenue/ Welcome

Evet : Oui/ Yes

Hayir: Non/No

Anliyorum : Je comprends/ I understand

Anlamiyorum: Je ne comprends pas/ I don’t understand

Benim adim...: Mon nom est.../ My name is...

Tesekkür eredim : Merci/Thank you

Ben : moi/I

Sen: toi/ you

I liked the moment when we heard the choir of the school, the

orchestra of the school and saw the drawing class. It was just so...

amazing, because we can’t imagine to have that in France! Now, I

can compare an art school in France and an art school in Turkey. It’s

very different! We could see that the orchestra and choir play some

traditional songs, but sometimes, it sounds like classical songs. The

students looked happy to show us their art. My penfriend showed me

her paintings and drawings, which are very beautiful and I think,

complicated to do. I liked meeting some students of Turkey who play

an instrument, like me. We saw that the way to study and learn

music is very different from France. It’s a different way of thinking

music, and thinking teaching! So interesting!

On the first evening, I met the sister (and her boyfriend), of my penfriend. They were very welcoming with me, and so funny! I heard the song « Je veux » (Zaz) with them! I was very surprised that they knew this song. I lived at my penfriend’s sisters’ home because normally, she lives at her dormitory. Secondly, I was really surprised to see, that when we took the bus, we didn’t have any ticket to say « we booked our seat » ! Secondly, the flat is located in a student hall which is not really in the city-center, I was surprised! During 2 evenings and 2 nights, I was with my penfriend and her bestfriend who is very calm and happy. I learnt that she studies at a hospital to be a nurse. Unfortunately, I didn’t see my penfriend’s parents... To go to school, we took the bus n 2 for about 30 minutes. My penfriend was really friendly, peaceful and she has many friends. She is an artist : drawing, painting... Thirdly, I discovered some Turkish meals, traditions and words. I enjoyed repeating some Turkish words when my penfriend asked me, it was so funny! I was really surprised because of the number of Atatürk’s portraits in Turkey! I discovered also the call to prayer which sounds in every Mosque, 5 times daily. There are many mosques in Turkey, which are very beautiful, different, and show the typical religious architecture! So interesting!

Bophorus cruise Bosphorus cruise

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the historical and cultural heart of

the country. It hosts more than 13 522 000 millions inhabitants. Istanbul is

the administrative center of the province. Since 1985, It has become a part of

the Unesco World Heritage. We learnt that Istanbul is one of the largest

megalopolis in the world. Istanbul is located in the region of Marmara and 24

m high. One part of the country is European and one part is Asian. Istanbul

was the capital of four empires : Roman (330-395), Byzantine (395-1204

and 1261-1453), Latin (1204-1261) and Ottoman (1453-1922). Istanbul was

also divided into 39 districts. First, it was named « Byzantium » by Greeks,

then, « Constantinople » by Romans in honor of Constantin I in May 330

and, on the 28th March 1930, was named « Istanbul ». The main buildings

are Santa Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, The Sülemaniye

Mosque. We shouldn’t forget that 1453 is the date of the Constantinople’s

fall and we know that it was conquered by the Ottomans. Istanbul was

named European Capital of Culture in 2010. The Republic of Turkey was

founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was the first president of Turkey.

Blue Mosque Beautiful view of the Bosphorus from

the Topkapi Palace

What a fantastic and interesting project ! Thanks a lot for everything!!!!

If we get such a feeling

It's because we're singing

Because art has no borders

Let's give art to others