Aya Sophia, 4/1/2006 - Event Horizon

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Lustration Urn645 viewsDavid Lindquist with his mascot bear Hero kneels next to one of two huge urns carved from single blocks of marble. They date from the Hellenistic era - 300 BC or so - but were brought here from Pergamon during the reign of Sultan Murad III (r. 1574-1595).

Mihrab644 viewsThe mihrab is a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla, i.e. the direction of Mecca, toward which Muslims should face when praying. In Aya Sophia, it occupies the same spot as the Christian altar before the Turkish conquest.

Column Detail642 viewsThe capitals of the marble columns displayed some extremely intricate filigree work.

Imperial Gate Mosaic638 viewsOnly the emperiors could enter via the Imperial Gate. The mosaic above the Imperial Gate depicts the emperior bowing before Christ, with the Virgin Mary on the left and the Archangel Gabriel on the right.

The Apse637 viewsThe Virgin and Child mosaic appears at the top of the apse, which also features stained-glass windows and other decor, both Christian and Islamic.

Minbar637 viewsThe pulpit from which the Imam delivered sermons on Fridays. Obviously not part of the original cathedral, the minbar was added during the reign of Murad III (1574–1595).

Turkish Labyrinth633 viewsSandie was late returning to the agreed-upon rendezvous, and I feared that she would become lost in the Grand Bazaar and end up in a harem, enslaved by the janissaries. But luckily she showed up just in time.

Southwestern Entrance Mosaic632 viewsDates from the reign of Emperor Basil II (976-1025). Depicts the Virgin Mary seated in the center with the Christ child on her lap, with Emperior Constantine on the right, presenting a model of the city of Constantinople, and Emperor Justinian on the left, presenting a model of Hagia Sophia.

Column Fragment630 viewsCapital of a column that supported the roof of the Theodosian Aya Sophia.

Sandie Takes a Poke630 viewsUnfortunately, the light in this corner of Hagia Sophia was so dim that the camera wasn't able to shoot at the speeds required to freeze motion, so this as well as many other pictures shot inside the cathedral came out blurry.

Ablution Fountain630 viewsadirvan (fountain for ritual ablutions), added by Sultan Mahmud I in 1740.

Istanbul Street Scene628 viewsOn our way to the Grand Bazaar.

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