One of the gate keepers outside the Kucuk Aya Sofya in the Sultanahmet district. Originally the Church of SS. Sergius and Bacchus, it was converted to a mosque in 1503 by Huseyn Agha, the chief eunuch of Sultan Beyazit II. It is known as the Little Mosque of Haghia Sophia, because it resembles the much larger church. It is in dire need of restoration as I was told that the rising water table of the nearby Marmara Sea was threatning its foundations. Foreigners and non Muslims are warmly welcomed here, and small 'donations' seem to be highly appreciated. (Press here for 35K jpg) An array of exotic spices at the Misir Carsisi, or Spice Bazaar. A must-see for all visitors, the Spice Bazaar is also called the Egyptian Bazaar because it was endowned with taxes arising from Egypt, when it was an Ottoman fiefdom. There are 88 vaulted shops and stalls, some of which carry spices and medicinal herbs. (Press here for 52K jpg)