Hagia Sophia - update 1

Our next stop is one of the city’s most renowned landmarks and Byzantine masterpiece – the Hagia Sophia. With a history that spans 1,500 years, the now Grand Mosque was once the largest cathedral in the world and remains one of the city’s most sacred and historic sites.




This is Istanbul’s top attraction; the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) began as a Byzantine church, then it became a mosque during the Ottoman Era and today is a museum. It is without doubt a great architectural wonder. The original structure has not survived but it was constructed here in the 4th century under the founder of Constantinople, Constantine the Great. After the original building was destroyed Constantine’s son Emperor Theodosius had a new church built in its place. The second structure burnt down in 532 but parts of it have been recovered through excavations. The structure we see today dates back to 532-537 when its construction was overseen by Justinian I. Although the church suffered from earthquakes and an attack by the Crusaders in 1204 it has retained its historic structure and decoration. From 1453 for 500 years the church became the main mosque of Istanbul during the Ottoman Era.

The church was designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus; it has a classic basilica layout. The church features rich mosaics and a grand central dome with a diameter of 31 meters. The circular dome rests on a rectangular base all richly decorated with murals, Arabic calligraphy and mosaics. All the interior surfaces are polychrome marble in green, purple and white with gold mosaics. You can see the marble mihrab which has survived from the Ottoman Era. Of the many magnificent mosaics the most famous are on the upper floor galleries. From the galleries you have a wonderful view down to the nave. Outside in the church grounds there are several points of interest including mausoleums, a baptistery and some excavated remains.
[https://www.visitacity.com/en/istanbul/attractions/hagia-sophia-church-museum]

https://www.viator.com/tours/Istanbul/Istanbul-Full-Day-Europe-and-Asia-Sides-Tour

We learned that the Hagia Sophia went under scaffolding about one month ago, and that we won't be able to see the whole dome inside - oh noooooooo. It looks like this tonight from The Terrace restaurant. We'll be there tomorrow morning.



Prayers have just been called again at 9.21pm for the second time today. It lasted about seven minutes early in the afternoon. The sound easily penetrates the double glazed windows.



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