Istanbul

Our itinerary for 'classicism in the Middle East' also included Istanbul, or anciently known as Constantinople. The counterpart to Ancient Rome and the birthplace of Byzantine architecture and originating point of Muslim Architecture, it yields rich findings in the history of Classicism. For more on the dialogue of Christian and Muslim Architecture, see my blogpost at http://njcovington.blogspot.com/2016/06/istanbul-merge-of-christian-and-muslim.html. The women of Istanbul were so warm they couldn't help but pinch the cheeks of our children as they passed us on the streets.