Colors of My Heart

The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, stand as magnificent testaments to the intersection of history and culture.​ ​​The Blue Mosque was built in the 17th century by Sultan Ahmed I of the Ottoman Empire. It is renowned for its stunning blue İznik tiles, which give the mosque its popular name. With six towering minarets, a grand central dome, and intricate stained glass windows, the mosque creates a mystical and awe-inspiring atmosphere. Although it remains an active place of worship, it is also open to visitors.​​​​​​​ The Hagia Sophia was originally constructed in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and served as a Christian cathedral for centuries.  In 1453, after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, it was transformed into a mosque, with four minarets added to its structure. Inside, golden Byzantine mosaics coexist with Islamic calligraphy, symbolizing the blending of two great civilizations. After functioning as a museum from...

The Church of St John the Baptist, rising proudly in the heart of Cirencester—the principal town of the Cotswolds—is renowned as a quintessential “wool church” of the Church of England. Its origins date back to the Norman period in the 12th century, and during the prosperous 15th and 16th centuries, it was extensively rebuilt in the Perpendicular Gothic style.  Facing the town’s market square, the magnificent three-tiered south porch, constructed around 1480, is richly adorned and once served as the town hall. Its impressive scale and intricate craftsmanship have earned the church the nickname “the Cathedral of the Cotswolds.” Inside, visitors are greeted by delicate fan vaulting, angel-carved capitals, and a series of chapels dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, including St Catherine’s Chapel, the Lady Chapel, and the Trinity Chapel. Among its many treasures are the distinctive “wine-glass” pulpit from around 1435 and the silver goblet known as the Anne Boleyn Cup. The tower,...