About 10 years ago, or slightly more, we took a short holiday in Turkey, in Istanbul. It was a fascinating place. We didn't have a digital camera in thosae days so these are scans.
We saw the entrance to the University of Istanbul
The Hagia Sophia, originally constructed as a church.
The Ortaköy Mosque
Rumelihisarı or the Rumeli fortress
But my abiding memory is going for a walk in the attractive gardens bordering the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus - and being almost overwhelmed by the dreadful smell. So much so that not a single photo was taken! Apparently it used to be well-known for being smelly.
[I know, I know - I cheated!]
Updated to add: if you click on the link I gave above you will see that the cause of smell (pollution) has been sorted out:
"The Golden Horn, once renowned for its green grounds and the unique sea creatures in it, but losing its popularity due to bad smell and pollution in 1990s has regained its unmatched beauty."
Istanbul is a wonderful city and I was not intending to put people off visiting.
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That''s a shame. I'm dying to know what it smelled like! It's too bad they couldn't make it more hospitable for the folks that live there and the tourists.
ReplyDeleteFrom your pictures the place seems beautiful. Until you mentioned about the smell. A virtual tour disappointment. :D
ReplyDeleteYup definitely looks lovely from the pictures and I bet in every place/country there's bound to be a smelly place/street :D My smelly is up
ReplyDeleteBeautiful places~
ReplyDeleteI have done my smelly post.
http://www.keeyit.com/index.php/2007/10/13/photo-hunter-smelly/
Happy weekend~
nice shots..but the bad smell everywhere?hmmm i don't know if i can stay there.lol..happy weekend!
ReplyDeletemine is up now.
beautiful photos...i am sure somewhere out there...something's smells. :)
ReplyDeletehappy weekend! :)
I bet it was really lovely to visit! Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, and yes, you cheated but you are excused for the shots and the story.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmmmmm, interesting story too.
ReplyDeleteDrop by and see my "smelly blog" today if you have time.
Too bad that it was so smelly in the beautiful gardens. Those are lovely photos of Istanbul.
ReplyDeleteMy smelly photo.
That's ok. I enjoyed your photos anyway! :)
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful places though! I love old architecture.
ReplyDelete...and I'm glad that you told us that it was the water that smells and nothing else.... *giggles*
And that it has been "rescued" since then too!!!!
LOL - that's a great take on this week's theme!
ReplyDeleteCheating or not - I've never been to Turkey, so thanks for taking me with!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful end to your week too :-)
What beautiful photos but tell us what it smelt like I would like to know - you've got me intrigued.
ReplyDeleteSara from farmingfriends
Wow, that is fascinating. I can't imagine but am sure it is true. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, none of those were smelly...but they were beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your original use of smelly! Your pictures are wonderful as always. I really love the architecture of the buildings. Yours are always worth clicking on to see them larger!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to protest, lol ! I visited Istambul in May and found it absolutely a wonderful city ! Except the smog that was awful from far the city had a yellow cloud hanging over;
ReplyDeleteToday I take the Cyber Cruise to my friend's home in Italy which dates from 1462 ! So if you are interested ...
It's surprises all over
ReplyDeleteYou are right, we don't generally take pictures of those things which have an unpleasant sensation--especially didn't in the days before digital. That's why I chose a pleasant scent for my smelly.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments. A few asked what it smelled like: well, it was indescribable. It was pungent and sharp, almost metallic, rather than of anything like sewage but so bad that it had me trying not to breathe at all, almost gagging at one time. It's not often you walk along with your hands over your mouth and nose.
ReplyDeleteI am delighted to find out that 1) it wasn't my imagination or that we were unlucky that day and 2) that the problem has now been solved.
A bad smell could definitely spoil the mood no matter how beautiful is the scenery.
ReplyDelete