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Most viewed - Aya Sophia, 4/1/2006
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Column Fragment648 viewsCapital of a column that supported the roof of the Theodosian Aya Sophia.
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Narthex645 viewsLarge hall at the west end, on the ground floor, providing entry to and exit from the cathedral. Here we are on the way out.
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Wall Detail643 viewsColorful abstract figures underpinned by lustrous alabaster reliefs.
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Ablution Fountain643 viewsadirvan (fountain for ritual ablutions), added by Sultan Mahmud I in 1740.
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In the Empress' Loge641 viewsThe upper gallery features green marble columns from Thessaly. Here our tour group gathers in the Empress' Loge to listen to Attila expound on the gallery architecture.
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Southwestern Entrance638 viewsThe mosaic in the tympanum (archway above the door) was plastered over after the Turkish conquest, but restored in 1849.
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Colorful Windows630 viewsFour of the stained-glass windows admitting light into the apse.
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Looking up624 viewsA ground-floor view of one of the excedrae. These semicircular recesses provide a pleasing way to round out what would otherwise be a stark and abrupt junction between the gallery sides.
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Tourist Magnet609 viewsThe Grand Bazaar claims to be the #1 tourist attraction not only in Turkey, but in the world, with up to 400,000 visitors daily and over 91 MILLION annually.
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Restoration Work605 viewsThe scaffolding seen on the left in this picture filled the center of the nave; it was erected to enable restoration work on the dome, conducted with the aid of a grant from the World Monuments Fund. The work was completed sometime after our visit in 2006.
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Candlesticks589 viewsThe two giant candlesticks on either side of the Mihrab were donated by Grand Vizier Ibrahim, who pillaged them from the Hungarian court church during the Turkish conquest of Buda in 1526.
 
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