Hagia Sophia - especially for drg

[Didache]

Hi all .. by request (!) a view of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (and, I promise, the last of the Istanbul pics). I know it's a bit postcardy, but it was a lovely day

Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) was the church of Constantine (4th C - more than a millennium before St Peter's in Rome was built) and was the "vatican" of the East. It was converted to a mosque in the 1400s (hence the minarets) and is now a museum. It faces the Blue Mosque across this lovely public space. Considering its age, it is in remarkably good shape.

The little dome on the right is part of the Baths of Roxelana - she was the favoured wife of Suleyman the Magnificent. It is now a state owned shop for selling Turkish carpets.

Cheers
Mike

[swmdrayfan]

I expected nothing less from our resident LURPS!

[Didache]

John .. you got me

[drg]

Mike,

Thanks for the 'special' posting! I've always been amazed by the construction and design of this ancient building. What it has survived and where it sits is just amazing. Hopefully I'll get to Istanbul someday.

Good photo and thanks again!!

[Louis1]

I like that image, Mike. Very nice color and composition.