Visitors from both within the city and outside the province flocked to Sultanahmet, a historic peninsula in Istanbul, to visit museums and mosques on the third day of the holiday. Taking advantage of the holiday, people arrived early in the morning and enjoyed the beautiful weather by sitting on benches and grass, snacking on corn, simit (Turkish bagel), and chestnuts.
Some visitors took selfies with their smartphones, while others posed for photos in front of the Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque. The preference of the locals to visit these mosques for Friday prayers, along with the groups of foreign tourists wandering around, created a busy atmosphere in the area.
Ibrahim Ethem Akpınar, who came to the historic peninsula from Kocaeli with his family for the holiday, mentioned that he had the chance to visit the Hagia Sophia for the first time and noted the high level of crowds due to the holiday rush. Another visitor from Kocaeli, Ömer Bülbül, said they were on a cultural trip and planned to pray at the Hagia Sophia on Friday, but due to the crowds, they decided to pray in Sultanahmet instead. They were surprised by the level of busyness during the holiday, hoping they could manage to visit all the places they wanted to see.
Zeynep Nalcı, who brought her relatives from Trabzon to visit historical sites, emphasized the unifying aspect of Islam, attracting people of all faiths to explore new places. She appreciated the free access to these historical landmarks, allowing them to visit with her children. Züleyha Altun, who came for the holiday from Bursa, expressed concern about the overcrowding at the Hagia Sophia and planned to visit Sultanahmet as well.
Doğukan Sönmez, who toured Eminönü and other areas on the first day of the holiday, intended to explore Sultanahmet and the Hagia Sophia with his mother and sister on the third day of the Eid al-Adha celebration. Despite the challenges posed by the crowds, visitors seemed determined to make the most of their holiday by immersing themselves in the rich history and culture of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks.
