Have any of you ever been to the Hagia Sophia?

[mortatone]

If so, please share with me your thoughts and/or photos.

[Statutory Gape]

I have, but it was in Assassin's Creed...

[Dave]

Yup. Istanbul is kind of a shit show of too many people, aggressive carpet salesmen, strict rules about photography once you're inside, your wife will have to wear a burka to enter, and overall it wasn't my favorite place. It was a museum when we went but I think it's back to being a functioning mosque these days. I don't know if that changes the entry requirements...





They have a LOT of stolen artifacts from the various empires so you'll see an Obelisk from ancient Egypt next to pillars from the Roman empire. (background Roman column and foreground Egyptian). It's just a hodge podge of stolen shit that has all been consolidated down to Istanbul (Constantinople)



The blue mosque isn't much different. Huge lines, burka requirement, limited photography once inside.







I don't regret going but I don't want to go back.

[VTM]

Yup

[Meelosh]

Istanbul’s great, one of my favorite places, I was there this past summer. I love walking and getting lost in a sea of people, so it’s very good for that. The tram system is great but I preferred walking, looking at cats and cool streets and buildings.

The whole city is crowded but that particular area is very touristy. If you wanna go into a holy place you gotta wear pants if you’re a man and a headscarf if you’re a woman.