The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Inferno" Tour

sightseeing the intriguing places in Florence, Venice and Istanbul mentioned in the Novel

"The human mind has a primitive ego defense mechanism that negates all realities that produce too much stress for the brain to handle. It’s called Denial." - Chapter 50, pp. 176-177

I made this post due to curiousness and fascination on Dan Brown's famous novels, on how he played my imagination while reading his book and incorporating my backpacking passion to wander them around. The adventure started in Florence, Italy last October 2013 where I headed to Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens first going to the Vasari Corridor, to Palazzo Vecchio where I found the mysterious Dante Alighieri's Death Mask, to St. John's Baptistry and its Gate of Paradise, then to St. Margaret's Church also known as Dante's Chapel. The pursuit continues on the same month in Venice, Italy by visiting the four horses in St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. Finalizing the itinerary to Istanbul, Turkey last July 2014 in Sultanahmet's Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern.

Inferno's film adaptation to be released on October 14, 2016 with Ron Howard as director and Tom Hanks reprising his role as Robert Langdon. Filming is due to start in April 2015.

The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Inferno" Tour

Istanbul Sultanahmet Square last part; Basilica Cistern and Medusa Heads

4-days Turkey Summer Solo Escapade
June 27 to July 03, 2014

Istanbul 3rd part; A Walk to Topkapi Palace

How to go to Basilica Cistern;
Basilican Cistern is inside the Sultanahmet Square of Istanbul which is 50km distance from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and 27km from Ataturk Airport. This place is just at the right side of the Hagia Sophia. Admission fee is 20TRY and NOT included in Istanbul Museum Pass. Photography and video taking is permitted inside. Monopod is allowed but the tripod is strictly prohibited.

Many of Istanbul’s historical gems, mostly consisting of Byzantine and Ottoman-built monuments are in Old City. Most are located a short walk away from, if not immediately on the edges of, Sultanahmet Square.

Basilica Cistern is constructed in 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinianus, the most prosperous period of the Eastern Roman Empire. The cistern is 70m in width and 140m in length. The dome, covering an area of 9,800sqm is supported by 336 marble columns arranged in 12 rows each consisting of 28 columns placed t a distance of 4.9m. from one another. The cistern is surrounded by a 4m thick wall of brick and the mortar used in constructions is very special and waterproof. The water reserved in the cistern was transported from the Belgrad forest which is 19km from the city. The 2 Medusa head columns found in the Northwest corner of the cistern are the great examples of the Roman age art sculptures.

inside the Basilica Cistern

Istanbul Sultanahmet Square 3rd part; A Walk to Topkapi Palace

4-days Turkey Summer Solo Escapade
June 27 to July 03, 2014

Istanbul 2nd part; the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque

How to go to Topkapi Palace;
Topkapi Palace is inside the Sultanahmet Square of Istanbul which is 50km distance from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and 27km from Ataturk Airport. This palace is just at the back of the Hagia Sophia. Admission is included in Istanbul Museum Pass, if not availed, entrance fee costs 30TRY. Photography and video taking is permitted inside. Monopod is allowed but the tripod is strictly prohibited.

Many of Istanbul’s historical gems, mostly consisting of Byzantine and Ottoman-built monuments are in Old City. Most are located a short walk away from, if not immediately on the edges of, Sultanahmet Square.

Topkapı Palace is an imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for four centuries. Lavishly decorated, with 4 courts of increasing grandeur. In the 2nd court of the entrance to the Harem and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The 3rd court has the Imperial Treasury. Both Islamic and Christian relics, rugs, porcelain. The views from the 4th Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular. You can also see Prophet Mohammed's belongings. As of August 2013, some of the areas of the palace are closed for restoration.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old_City

Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet Square

Istanbul Sultanahmet Square 2nd part; the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque

4-days Turkey Summer Solo Escapade
June 27 to July 03, 2014

Istanbul 1st part; Inside the Hagia Sophia

How to go to Blue Mosque; 
Sultanahmet (Sultan Ahmed) Mosque is inside the Sultanahmet Square of Istanbul which is 50km distance from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and 27km from Ataturk Airport. This mosque is just infront of the Hagia Sophia. Admission is FREE. Photography and video taking is permitted inside. Monopod and tripod is strictly prohibited. Dress code applies, long pants and no sleeveless shirts.

Many of Istanbul’s historical gems, mostly consisting of Byzantine and Ottoman-built monuments are in Old City. Most are located a short walk away from, if not immediately on the edges of, Sultanahmet Square. 

With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside. Unlike Haghia Sophia, this is still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side which is back side of mosque. No shorts or bare shoulders (shawls are provided) and you will need to remove your footwear (bags are provided that you can place your shoes in). Entrance is free, but donations are welcome upon exit. The mosque is closed during ritual prayer but mosque volunteers provide you with a free presentation about the Mosque and also about Islam during that period. Women need to wear head scarves, which can be borrowed at the mosque for free. Everyone needs to cover their legs (no shorts or short skirts).

http://wikitravel.org/en/Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old_City

Sultanahmet "Blue" Mosque

Istanbul Sultanahmet Square 1st part; Inside the Hagia Sophia

4-days Turkey Summer Solo Escapade
June 27 to July 03, 2014

Cappadocia last part; trekking to Goreme rock formations

How to go to Hagia Sophia;
Hagia Sophia is inside the Sultanahmet Square of Istanbul which is 50km distance from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and 27km from Ataturk Airport. Admission is included in Istanbul Museum Pass, if not availed, entrance fee costs 30TRY. Photography and video taking is permitted inside. Monopod is allowed but the tripod is strictly prohibited.

Many of Istanbul’s historical gems, mostly consisting of Byzantine and Ottoman-built monuments are in Old City. Most are located a short walk away from, if not immediately on the edges of, Sultanahmet Square. 

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), was originally a basilica constructed for the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The church was looted by the fourth Crusaders in 1204, and became a mosque in the 15th century when The Ottomans conquered the city. It was converted into a museum in 1935. Don't miss the excellent mosaics, including those in the gallery, reached by a stone ramp to the left of the entrance. As of August 2013, construction work is being carried out so expect scaffoldings inside.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old_City

Hagia Sophia Sultanahmet of Istanbul