“O how great is that noble and beautiful city! How many monasteries, how many palaces there are, fashioned in a wonderful way! How many wonders there are to be seen in the squares and in the different parts of the city!” -Fulcher of Chartres (~1100AD)
@RomeInTheEast He sounds like a decent Frank. Don't get any big ideas, Fulcher.
@RomeInTheEast That's really cool to hear the perspective of someone living almost a millennium ago - I've actually been to Chartres, and that city was incredible too. This was a photo I took inside one of the oldest churches of Chartres, that was there in 1100 AD:
@RomeInTheEast At least he appreciated it!
@RomeInTheEast "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king" said erasmus, possibly the ancients as well. fulcher was just another astonished fellow diarist in awe of the aura of the city. i simply adore constantinople and istanbul, equally. but a reference point is imperative.
@RomeInTheEast While having a good time in an ordinary afternoon. Ferry, seagulls, sun and a looking at the Constantinople side (now İstanbul).