Event Horizon - Astronomical and Terrestrial Images

Home > Adventures Abroad > Turkey 2006 > Aya Sophia, 4/1/2006

Most viewed - Aya Sophia, 4/1/2006
AyaSophia-20060401-3483.jpg
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.
AyaSophia-20060401-3560.jpg
Istanbul Street Scene679 viewsOn our way to the Grand Bazaar.
AyaSophia-20060401-3515.jpg
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.
AyaSophia-20060401-3543.jpg
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.
AyaSophia-20060401-1156.jpg
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.
AyaSophia-20060401-1144.jpg
Wall Detail661 viewsColorful abstract figures underpinned by lustrous alabaster reliefs.
AyaSophia-20060401-3547.jpg
Southwestern Entrance661 viewsThe mosaic in the tympanum (archway above the door) was plastered over after the Turkish conquest, but restored in 1849.
AyaSophia-20060401-3530.jpg
Colorful Windows649 viewsFour of the stained-glass windows admitting light into the apse.
AyaSophia-20060401-3562.jpg
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.
AyaSophia-20060401-3496.jpg
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.
AyaSophia-20060401-3536.jpg
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.
 
59 files on 5 page(s) 5

Debug Info 
Debug Output: show / hide