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Most viewed - Aya Sophia, 4/1/2006 |
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Remains680 viewsThe objects exhibited here are remains of an older Aya Sophia, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II, who dedicated it in 415 AD, and destroyed during the Nika riots of 532.
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Istanbul Street Scene679 viewsOn our way to the Grand Bazaar.
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In the Empress' Loge675 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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Narthex673 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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Looking up663 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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Wall Detail661 viewsColorful abstract figures underpinned by lustrous alabaster reliefs.
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Southwestern Entrance661 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 Windows649 viewsFour of the stained-glass windows admitting light into the apse.
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Tourist Magnet648 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 Work642 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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Candlesticks611 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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