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.
Hagia Sophia overseeing the fountain in the park.
Hagia Sophia by night, under floodlights.
One of the pendentives supporting the main dome.
The interior is lighted up by chandeliers all around.
The upper gallery of Hagia Sophia.
The mosaics of Virgin Mary on one of the pendentives right above the 'mihrab.'
The mosaics of Virgin Mary with Emperor John II Comnenus and Empress Irene.
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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