Hagia Sophia Interior, Istanbul, Turkey #5
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In March of 2019 Lori and I flew to Istanbul, Turkey.
After spending several days exploring on our own we joined up with a Rick Steves tour. This tour started in Istanbul, but in the following weeks we visited a lot of Turkey, from Ankara to Cappadocia to the south and eventually to the west coast and Kusadasi.
A large part of our trip was spent in Istanbul, both before and during the tour.
I had travelled to Istanbul with my mother in 1985 using my 4" x 5" camera.
In the European section of the city, near the Sea of Marmara is possibly the most impressive building in the world, the Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Serifi,
or as it is known throughout the world: Hagia Sophia.
In the 6th century Emperor Justinian build this cathedral with its massive dome.
For centuries it was the largest church in the world.
After the Ottoman conquest in 1453 it was transformed into a mosque and minarets were added.
In 1935 it was again transformed, but this time into a secularized museum.
And in 2020 Hagia Sophia was once again made into a mosque.
Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom"
This image of the interior of Hagia Sophia depicts two of the Calligraphic Medallions.
These huge wooden panels, inscribed with gilded Arabic script
were created and attached to the walls in the 19th century.
Also seen are ten of the Avize Chandeliers hanging from the domed ceilings.
During this trip we had the pleasure of meeting Chris and Jenny, who live in Oregon.
We have remained great friends for many years after this trip and still travel together today.
After spending several days exploring on our own we joined up with a Rick Steves tour. This tour started in Istanbul, but in the following weeks we visited a lot of Turkey, from Ankara to Cappadocia to the south and eventually to the west coast and Kusadasi.
A large part of our trip was spent in Istanbul, both before and during the tour.
I had travelled to Istanbul with my mother in 1985 using my 4" x 5" camera.
In the European section of the city, near the Sea of Marmara is possibly the most impressive building in the world, the Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Serifi,
or as it is known throughout the world: Hagia Sophia.
In the 6th century Emperor Justinian build this cathedral with its massive dome.
For centuries it was the largest church in the world.
After the Ottoman conquest in 1453 it was transformed into a mosque and minarets were added.
In 1935 it was again transformed, but this time into a secularized museum.
And in 2020 Hagia Sophia was once again made into a mosque.
Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom"
This image of the interior of Hagia Sophia depicts two of the Calligraphic Medallions.
These huge wooden panels, inscribed with gilded Arabic script
were created and attached to the walls in the 19th century.
Also seen are ten of the Avize Chandeliers hanging from the domed ceilings.
During this trip we had the pleasure of meeting Chris and Jenny, who live in Oregon.
We have remained great friends for many years after this trip and still travel together today.
Below is a detail of the image.
