Bosphorus Cruise

The participants of Dreamers Beyond Borders had a unique possibility to visit two continents – the Asian side - in a matter of minutes without even going through customs! Someone would say it can’t be true, but there’s nothing impossible in Istanbul.

The evening spent on a cruise was not only splendid, but also unforgettable and full of breath-taking moments. Mouth-watering dinner, spectacular views of Istanbul‘s beautifully illuminated palaces, mosques and Bosphorus bridges, glittering entertainment from belly dancers as well as other artists.

Dinner on the boat	Gülsen, Gamze, Maria Rosaria, Yelda and Daniele

All in all, almost everyone was dancing and at the same time enjoying one of the most magnificent evenings during the whole stay in mysterious Istanbul.

Galata Tower

Galata Tower, one of the oldest and most beautiful towers in Istanbul, was built of wood as a lighthouse in 528. However, it was rebuilt of stone masonry and called Christ Tower in 1348. The tower, captured by the Turks when Istanbul was conquered in 1453, is 66.90 meters high from the ground and 140 meters from the sea level. It is a high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and offers a panoramic view of Istanbul's historic peninsula.
There is a restaurant and café on its upper floors which have views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Also located on the upper floors is a nightclub which hosts a Turkish show. There are two operating elevators that carry visitors from the lower level to the upper levels.

Hagia Sophia Museum

The Hagia Sophia, the biggest church constructed by the East Roman Empire in Istanbul, has been constructed three times in the same location. When it was first built, it was named Megale Ekklesia (Big Church); however, after the fifth century, it was referred to as the Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom). The church was the place in which rulers were crowned, and it was also the biggest operational cathedral in the city throughout the Byzantine period.
It is interesting to note that it was used as a church for 916 years but, following the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the Hagia Sophia was converted into mosque. Afterwards, it was used as a mosque for 482 years. Under the order of Atatürk and the decision of the Council of Ministers, Hagia Sophia was converted is not only a historical mosque in Istanbul, but also one of the most majestic mosques in all of Turkey.

Blue Mosque

Because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design, the mosque is called blue. It was built between 1609 and 1616. And as many other mosques, it also consists of a tomb of the founder, a madrasa (an Islamic college) and a hospice (a place for terminally ill people).
It is interesting to note that besides being a tourist attraction, it is also an active mosque, so it‘s closed to non-worshippers for a half an hour during the five daily prayers.

The participants of a project

Carole and Vincent	Rita, Anna and Ilona