Istanbul Instances: Hagia Sophia

After we made our way back to Sultanahmet, (the old city) we went to the Hagia Sophia. Built in 537AD and considered the crowning piece of Byzantine architecture, this building has withstood many challenges. It has survived earthquakes and invasions. Though originally built as a church, when the Ottomans Turks conquered Constantinople, it became a mosque. Since the 1930's it has been a museum.
CC taught us a little about it before we went inside.(That's a tomb behind him. Can you spot the cross?)

The beauty inside is indescribable. The dome is supported entirely by flying buttresses on the outside. Therefore, you see a totally unobstructed view of the dome and all the 1500 year old paintings. It's large enough on the inside to house the Statue of Liberty.

This is perhaps my all-time favorite picture.

I took this picture lying down on the ground and looking straight up.The angels all have six wings.

As you can see below, the Hagia Sophia is not remarkable on the outside. Because all of its support is anchored there, its beauty is only shown inside. The many mosques surrounding it are just the opposite. They are gorgeous on the outside, but much less remarkable on the inside, as the pillars to support them obstruct the view. I find the entire situation to be very symbolic and interesting. The Hagia Sophia will always be my favorite landmark in this great city of Istanbul. Built to honor God, withstanding all outside forces that threatened to destroy it,  and showing a beauty far surpassing the others (but only on the inside), it speaks volumes in its silence.