Myra here.
We are excited to share photographs every Tuesday about our recent or long-ago travels, or just everyday stuff that appealed to our mindful eye and sharp sensibilities as captured through fleeting images.
Hagia Sophia – Istanbul Turkey
Yes, I am still in my Istanbul phase. Last week, I shared photographs from the Topkapi Palace. This week, I am excited to share the photos I took from the Hagia Sophia, over a millennia old, still standing proud and beautiful, steeped in history, and infused with such breathtaking beauty and grace.
What an incredible fusion of Christianity and Islam right here.
Hagia Sophia has transformed itself from a former Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica (church), to an imperial mosque, and now a museum (Ayasofya Müzesi)
Hagia Sophia is also known as the ”Shrine of the Holy Wisdom of God”
Torn down twice, but tenaciously standing tall and proud after nearly two millennia.
Mandatory Photograph. Many thanks to my host who toured me around and took such beautiful pictures that now provide me with concrete proof that I’ve actually been here.
The Imam’s Pulpit.
Christian Archangels intermingled with symbols from Islam.
Even the imposing doors are sturdy works of art that are imbued with textured aestheticism.
Images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, Archangels, and the Islam faith are littered all over this place that have kept millennia-old secrets of secrets.
From a Wikipedia source: The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, “Solomon, I have outdone thee!”
One of my favourite photographs from Ayasofya.
“When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.”
― William Shakespeare
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
― Plato
Oh, thank you! I so want to get there some day!
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