Αγία Σοφία - A visit to Aya Sofya a/k/a Hagia Sophia

Del, Claire, and Keelin in the vestibule of Aya Sofya--click to enlarge


Click to enlarge - Keelin and Jack in front of some excavated columns,
pediments, and other marbe artifacts from an earlier church on the
same site that was later destroyed

We took the train to Aya Sofya this morning to see the one-time patriarchal basilica that became a mosque later in life, and is now a museum and archaeological exhibit. It is most, and justly famous for its unbelievably massive dome, now considered the height of Byzantine architecture. It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and was the church of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the home of the Eastern Orthodox Church for almost 1000 years. It was built in the sixth century.

Later the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and plastered over most of the Catholic imagery (like a Fresco of Jesus with Justinian and Constantine) and added typical Moslem features like minarets and a mihrab (an alcove that points toward Mecca and may be there to help prayers to pray in the right direction). So the church has had many lives and religions and is a most interesting polyglot. It was the main mosque of Istanbul/Constantinople for hundreds of years and served as the model for other, later mosques. Like the one across the street--The Blue Mosque, about which more later.




Click to enlarge. Claire and Keelin by the "Stele of St Gregory Thaumaturgus" that is said to have magical powers. You put your thumb in the hole, turn 360 degrees, and if a drop of water falls on your thumb--well, you're in luck, Friendo.


Click to enlarge - The mihrab--an alcove that points toward Mecca that may be there to help prayers pray in the right direction [ed's note: totally Jack's speculation]

The partly destroyed, but still stunning mosaic fresco of Jesus with Constantine and Justinian at his sides. It was uncovered after being plastered over for centuries. This was amazing.

Click to enlarge -- Aya Sofya from the steps of the Blue Mosque (about which more later). I'm going to bed.
---o0o---