Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Istanbul: Eyup Cemetery

2012.05 Istanbul Erup (11 of 93)
After leaving the cafe we walked down through a cemetery built on the hill. It was lush and peaceful - and peace is sometimes hard to find in a city as big and busy as Istanbul.

2012.05 Istanbul Erup (25 of 93)
Some of the plots and monuments were incredibly old. We learned that during a certain period, the design at the top of the monument indicated the career or background of the person who was buried.

2012.05 Istanbul Erup (15 of 93)
I was touched by the site of this man carrying water up to water the plants on the plot he was maintaining. I couldn't help but think of the love it takes to keep the plant life on the plots thriving in the hot Istanbul summers.

2012.05 Istanbul Erup (28 of 93)
We eventually made our way to the base of the hill where the mosque was located. 

As I wrote this post I was listening to Jason Lytle's "Somewhere There's a Someone" and I couldn't help but think of the many carrying the water up the hill. Pin It

15 comments:

Pierre BOYER said...

Interesting...
Best regards from Paris,

Pierre

Joanne said...

beautiful picture, beautiful thoughts....

Laloofah said...

Lovely and fascinating. I love exploring cemeteries, especially old ones and those in other countries. I'd have thoroughly enjoyed spending a day in Eyup Cemetery with my camera!

The photo of the gentleman lugging that water up the hill to water the plants on a plot is very moving.

Clinton Painter said...

"Devoted" is what comes to mind when I think of the people caring for others final resting places. You have once again captured the beauty and for lack of a better word, the emotion.

Dagmar said...

Love this post..devoted seems the right word doesn't it!

Test said...

What an amazing view from there!

Lisa Gordon said...

These are wonderful Jamie, especially the man carrying the water.
Sure glad I am not the only one who likes to visit old cemeteries.
xo.

Selma @ Crazy Little World Of Mine said...

Weird but true, I like cemeteries. And Turkish ones are special. They used to keep them all, no matter how old. Some however had to be moved, or taken away. :( The design at the top, or the way the "hat" was set indicated also how the person died (war, no war, killed in general). I always liked that. I know weird, to say like and graveyard in the same sentence.

Ms. Becky said...

Ooh, I love old cemeteries. this one has loads of interest. I love the shadows in the second shot - and the light is superb. I've been missing a whole lot by not getting round to visit blogs as I once did. These shots of Istanbul are fantastic! happy week to you Jamie.

Justine said...

very interesting shots

Tezzie said...

Gotta joint the masses ;)...I love cemetaries, too, for some reason. Even though just the thought of death itself paralyses me. Such a pretty place, though, and what a beautiful view of the mosque!

Nicole said...

Very beautiful pics.

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

Cemetaries always give me pause... to imagine that someday I will be in one permanently too! What a beautiful spot to stop and reflect on life.

Jerica said...

I love these pics and the way you describe them in your writing. Very different from the cemeteries we are used to in Utah.

Lisa said...

These are just magical and full of beauty.

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