We went underground -many parts of the city are being restored as they were years ago...ruins and cities underground. But the highlight of this day was visiting the Hagia Sophia.....you cannot go to Turkey and not see it! The history of this place is fascinating and worth reading about (more than my google blurb).
 |
| going underground |
Hagia Sophia was choosen a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1985.
Rebuilt by the orders of Emperor Justinian in 537, for 900 years Hagia Sophia had been the center of Orthodox Christianity until 1453 when the city was concurred by Ottomans. 500 years following the conquest of Muslims, it became a jewel for the Muslim world and as the grand mosque of the sultans.
In 1935, Hagia Sophia had been converted into a museum of Turkish Republic by the orders of Ataturk, and became one of the most significant monuments not only in Turkey but on earth with its architecture and its historical richness. (www.hagiasophia.com)
 |
| Amazing mosaic detail under all that plaster |
 |
| you can see how they are slowly chipping the plaster away to reveal the mosaics underneath |
 |
| View from inside |
No comments:
Post a Comment