Aya Sophia, 4/1/2006 - Event Horizon

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Wall Detail465 viewsColorful abstract figures underpinned by lustrous alabaster reliefs.

Sandie Takes a Poke455 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.

Column Detail451 viewsThe capitals of the marble columns displayed some extremely intricate filigree work.

Remains449 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.

In the Empress' Loge446 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.

The Comnenus Mosaic445 viewsDates from 1122. The Virgin Mary is in the center, holding the Christ child; on the left is Emperor John Comnenus; on the right is Empress Irene, a daughter of King Ladislas I of Hungary.

Restoration Work437 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.

Colorful Windows432 viewsFour of the stained-glass windows admitting light into the apse.

Looking up430 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.

Tourist Magnet428 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.

Candlesticks427 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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