First view of Ayia Sophia (Haga Sophia) from Istanbul's Harbour
The massive ceiling dome, unsupported, one of the largest in the world, damaged in earthquakes, but never fallen...no longer quite circular after many repairs, but still beautiful with light streaming through the row of dome windows.
The sheer size of the building dwarfs visitors.
Detail of one of the many preserved mosaics on the mosque's wall
Archangle Gabriel detail over one of the four supporting main columns. This angel must be several stories tall.
Detail of one of the many mosaics of the Virgin and the Christ Child
This gigantic mosaic graces the most easterly side dome of the Basilica, again it must be several stories high...impressive mosaic surrounded by glittering gold tiles
Fine detail of one of the large mosaics of Christ
The 'upper floor' - a small part, which does not quite show the immense size of the 'Gallery'
Details of carved marble on the capitel of the basilica's columns.
Very subtle colouring of a representation of Christ
Constantin the Great presenting a model of a mosque to Christ...
Ayia Sophia, or Haga Sophia, is one of the most impressive architectural marvels in Christendom. It certainly is build on the Grand Scale, with one of the largest ever built unsupported domes of any cathedral or church in existence. It was inititally constructed during the Era of the Eastern Roman Empire...Justinianus I (306-337) built separate but connected yards, cisterns, throne halls, audience halls, chapels and gardens beside the church itself. He wanted the church to be the largest in the known world, it took thousands of workers 5 years to construct (a record by any measure). It remained the largest church for about 1000 years.Constantine the Great had expanded it. The split of Roman Catholic and Orthodox religion happened here, with the Iconoclasts (destroyers of Icons) exerting their influence later. The Complex was changed to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire, minarets were added, giant plaques despicting verses of the Quran attached to the giant pillars inside the main basilica to gave it an Islamic flavour. At the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Kemal Attaturk was shrew enough to declare the Church/Mosque into a National monument and opened it subsequently as a museum. Today it is still a museum and one of the most impressive sights in a city which abounds with impressive sights and experiences.
It is filled with precious mosaics from the Christian Period. Caligraphic panels with Verses of the Holy Quran as well as arabesque decorations were added during the Islamic Mosque period. Fortunately most of the artifacts are preserved and visitors are able to gaze in awe at this incredible edifice and the art treasures within.
The structure is so large, that even on the second floor, the gallery, which surrounds and overlooks the main hall below, one feels as if one has entered another gigantic cathedral, as each of the upper levels is spaceous enough to house a few good sized churches or basilicas.
Ceilings, arches, walls are covered with mosaics, some depicting Christian motivs (Virgins, Jesus, Saints, Christian Emperors, Apostles), some purely decorative with arabesques, interlaced garlands, geometric designs. Some mosaics are huge, however the detail of individual facial features of personages represented in them is subtle and refined.
One could spend hours here, as I did, walking and gazing, and discovering ever new wonders, which initially are dwarfed by the gigantic architectural design, almost invisible, overshadowed by the overwhelming size of this historic monument.
The main dome, whose summit is about 150 meters above ground level (my guesstimate may be wrong) has suffered from efffects of a few earthquakesbut has never collapsed or fallen, repairs have made the initially perfect circle surounded by a necklace of windows somewhat less than round.
But the rest of the majestic structure has survived for hundreds of years without noticeable effect of quakes...and probably will survive a few hundred years more.
