Record

Document ReferenceGa 2 E 1344
TitleLetter from Violet Skeffington-Smyth, Péra Palace Hotel, Constantinople [now Istanbul, Turkey] to her father George E.M. Monckton-Arundell, 7th Viscount Galway; 15 Apr. 1928
Date15 April 1928
Extent4 ff (plus envelope)
LevelItem/file
Content DescriptionAlready sent him a post card confirming that they arrived safely [probably Ga 2 E 1326]. Describes Constantinople's two areas of Péra and Instanbul, the 'Golden Horn' waterway, and the 'St Sofia' [Hagia Sophia Cathedral]. Gives her opinion of the architeture of mosques, including the mosque of Ahmed [known as the Blue Mosque] and the mosque of Süleyman the Great [Süleymaniye Mosque].

Describes a visit to the Palace of the Seraglio [Topkapı Palace] to see the Sultan's treasures, but thought the gardens were a bit disappointing. Regrets that the country is very poor since the Great War and preceeding wars. Also trips to the museum to see the Alexander Sarcophagus, and to see the Cisterns beneath the city.

Goes on to discuss the Grand National horse race. Informs him that they are going to travel up the Bosphorus to the Black Sea.

Ga 2 E 1344/3: Envelope addressed to Viscount Galway, Serlby Hall, Bawtry, Yorkshire. Postmarked 15 Apr. 1928.
Termantiquities
travel, Turkey
tourism
sports, horse racing

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Persons
CodePersonNameDates of existence
NA79898Smyth; Violet Frances Skeffington- (1880-1930); Hon.; née Monckton1880-1930
Places
CodeSet
PL83/Constantinople/Turkey
PL13887/Istanbul/Turkey
PL14135/St Sophia Nouri Asmarie/Istanbul/Turkey
PL1873/Pera/Constantinople/Turkey
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