Hagia Sophia, the "Church of Holy Wisdom," or sometimes referred to as St. Sophia, was built more than 1400 years ago. The main dome is more than 30 m in diameter supported by four pendentives. In the 15th century, the Ottomans converted it into a mosque. It is now serving as a museum.
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Hagia Sophia overseeing the fountain in the park.
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Hagia Sophia by night, under floodlights.
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One of the pendentives supporting the main dome.
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The interior is lighted up by chandeliers all around.
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The upper gallery of Hagia Sophia.
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The mosaics of Virgin Mary on one of the pendentives right above the 'mihrab.'
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The mosaics of Virgin Mary with Emperor John II Comnenus and Empress Irene.
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The mosaics of Christ flanked by Emperor Constantine IX and Empress Zoe.
If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Istanbul, here are the links:-
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 1: Hagia Sophia
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 2: Kariye Camii
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 3: Sultanahmet Camii
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 4: Kapali Çarşi & Mesir Çarşisi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 5: The Cruise Up the Bosphorus
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 6: Topkapi Sarayi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 7: Dolmabahçe Sarayi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 8: Yerebatan Sarayi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 9: İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 10: Süleymaniye Camii
- On the Streets of Istanbul
- The People Who Posed for Me in Istanbul
- Nuts about Kebab
7 comments:
these r beautiful pics! do u use a nikon or a canon dslr?were u on tour n is it quite a safe place to visit?
Hi Terri, I'm using a Nikon D70s with an assortment of lenses. :) I went there on my own. It is quite safe to get around Istanbul as long as you stay away from the ghetto, but beware of the pickpockets. But, I think pickpocketing is an annoyance in all the cities around Europe anyway.
ok so if two females go there do u think its safe coz Hub said "Istanbul? No way" but i know my girl would love to n its gap year for her next year.
It should be alright. I happened to meet up with a young Japanese lady, a lone traveller in the hotel that I was putting up. She's travelled around Europe for almost three months then. She had been in Istatanbul for 3 weeks at the time I met her. She didn't mention anything about annoyance around Istanbul. I myself felt safe also in Istanbul as the people there are genuinely friendly.
Hey Ck,
Gordon here. Those are nice pictures and a very comprehensive write up might i add. I suspect your Japan one will be even better :)
Before i forget, the link to the 'macross figures'
http://www.shioktoys.com/index.php?searchstring=macross&x=0&y=0
Alright. Am going to get back to editing last nights pic now. heh
Heay Gordon, thanks for dropping by. I'm really flattered by your kind compliments. :) I'm really looking forward to the upcoming photo outings with you.
Great Pics my friend.
Thanks for sharing.
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