An Agatha Christie Experience in Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel

Literary experiences can come in the most unexpected ways. Two months ago Sharon and I traveled to Istanbul to commence a 32 day cruise on Oceania Cruise Lines. 

For the first day of the voyage we stayed in Istanbul. I decided to look for a bookstore within walking distance of the port. Searching online I found one of the options was the Minoa Pera bookstore.

With GPS to lead me I set off for the store. It seemed to be uphill all the way. I went through a narrow street with a group of street shops selling hardware supplies. It was so different from the large hardware stores of North America.

When I reached the store I was entranced. It is a large two storey shop which includes a large English section. It is spacious and inviting.

I restrained myself to buying a single book - A Three Dog Problem by S.J. Bennett. It turned out to be a very good book which I read during the cruise.

Most fascinating were the staircases to the upper floor. The space under each step is painted with the spines of
books creating the illusion there is a row of books beneath every step. As you can see in the photo a vivid colouful staircase is created.

There is also a nice cafe with a wonderful selection of cakes. Knowing of all the choices on the ship I reluctantly held myself back from trying them. I did enjoy a glass of lemonade.

While sitting in the cafe looking for information about the bookstore on the net I found out that I was only a 100 metres from the Pera Palace Hotel and learned of its literary connections.

I had not known Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express while staying at the hotel. From followup research I read that she may have written most of the book while with her husband on an archealogical expedition in Aleppo. All of my research was short of actual sources for concluding where she wrote the book. For this post I will accept the assertions of the Pera Palace that it is “rumored” that she wrote the book at the hotel.

The Pera Palace is a wonderful hotel in appearance. The hotel, built in 1892, has a 1920’s feel that I am sure would make Mrs. Christie still feel at home.

I was welcomed by a beautiful flower display.

The lounge and bar area made me wish I had the time to sit down and have a drink and think of Hercule Poirot.

The photos show the 1920’s details of the space but cannot replicate the experience of being there.

The hotel website says she was there often between 1926 - 1932 staying in Room 411. It is a spacious room, almost 500 sq. ft, with a nice desk for writing. It has been restored to look like it was when Agatha was there including a typewriter.

There is a display case off the lobby containing some of Mrs. Christie's novels and some memorabilia.

Had we known of its connection to Agatha we would have stayed there before going on the cruise and enjoyed a meal in the Agatha Restaurant.

You can actually stay in Mrs. Christie's room! I am not enough of a fan to spend $800 to stay in her room. We would spend $300 for one of the regular rooms.

The Minoa Pera bookstore and Pera Palace are well worth a visit in Istanbul. 

Whenever I think of Murder on the Orient Express I will be reminded of the beautiful Pera Palace Hotel.