Lisa's Travels

Posts Tagged ‘culture’

One of the most famous mosques in Turkey is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul. Its interior is adorned with blue tiles, which have given the mosque its popular title of the Blue Mosque. It was built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. It incorporates the tomb of its founder, together with a madrasah (which translates as “a place where learning and studying are done”) and a hospice.

The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque incorporates some elements of traditional Islamic architecture with some of the Byzantine features of the nearby Hagia Sophia Orthodox Basilicia. The mosque is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period and is particularly impressive in size and design. It has one main dome, eight other domes and six minarets. It has become a very popular tourist attraction although it remains principally a place of worship.

The Bursa Grand Mosque in the city of Bursa was built between 1396 and 1400 on the orders of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. This mosque is a landmark of early Ottoman design and features twenty domes and two minarets. It also includes a sadirvan (a fountain where worshippers can perform ritual ablutions before prayer), which is one of the principal features of Ottoman architecture.

The Turkish capital Ankara is home to the Kocatepe Mosque, which is regarded by many as a landmark example of modern Islamic architecture. It was built between 1967 and 1987, and can be seen from almost anywhere in the central part of the city.

The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is an Ottoman mosque commissioned by Sultan Selim II and built between 1569 and 1575. It was designed by architect Mimar Sinan, who considered it to be his masterpiece.

When visiting any mosque (not just in Turkey but anywhere in the world), certain protocols need to be observed. You should avoid visiting a mosque on Friday from late morning to early afternoon (which is when weekly group prayers and sermons are held), or at prayer-time (which for half an hour after the ezan (the call to prayer) is chanted from the minarets). All visitors to mosques should wear modest clothing (no shorts or sleeveless tops), and women are required to cover their heads before entering the mosque. Some popular mosques (such as the Blue Mosque) provide robes to wear during the visit if appropriate. All visitors (including worshippers) must remove their shoes before stepping on to the prayer carpets. This is a purely practical measure; it is intended to keep the carpets as clean as possible.

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Every American makes a pilgrimage tour to Virginia once in a life time. Most tourists flock to the three pilgrimage centers in spring and summer when it is most pleasant. It is at these three places called Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg that the first European sailors set foot and settled down giving birth to a new nation which we know as America today.

When in Williamsburg you are transported to the previous eras of 17th and 18th century. You will not only get to feel and see how life was at that point of time, you also learn about the most important events of birth of American Government and our independence.

Most attractive spots amongst the three happens to be the Colonial Williamsburg district where in they have preserved the old settlement as it is. You get to see the original structures, the unpaved main street as well as the houses, stores and every building preserved in its original shape without alterations. You get transported to that era when you stand in the middle of the main street and feel the magic.

The lifestyle and ambience of the by gone era is enacted and you can mingle with the crowd to become one of them. The shops sell soaps, lace and other fineries and you can find a commoner taking the town podium and drumming up support from the public with his arguments regarding political developments.

Do not miss out of visiting the most famous and prestigious college of William and Mary while you are here. This institution of higher learning is famous for having hosted three of the former US Presidents as well as many men who made history in our country. Even today this institution ranks as one of the top ranking colleges in the country.

The campus consists of a very nice blend of old type architectural buildings co existing with the new style buildings both existing in harmony with the surroundings. Spending a day at the campus is very peaceful and rejuvenating. During Christmas time, the students and the residents put up a bonfire which makes a very enjoyable event.

Your days you will find are filled with fun and adventure when you are visiting this part of the country. The entire family will enjoy spending a whole day at the Amusement park with the European heritage theme. There is plenty of food and fun here. They also host series of concerts during summer where in the best musicians in the country fly down to perform. Then you have the Busch Gardens for those who love nature and adventure. This promises a lot of action and thrill of adventure in the Mid Atlantic. You will also enjoy going out to the Williamsburg winery with your family, where you get to visit one of the oldest wine yards of the commonwealth.

There is something for everybody in your family when you choose to spend your holidays at Williamsburg. From shopping, historic tours, great food , music and outdoors, you have it all here.

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