Sultanahmet Mosque

The mosque from afar.



The view of the mosque through the trees near the metro line that runs right in front of the mosque.



Approaching the mosque.



Different view.



Outside the mosque.



The view of the dome through the main entrance while climbing the stairs that lead inside.



Right outside the door.



Inside the perimeter of the mosque.



In the main courtyard.



A closer look.



One of the six minarets.

Approaching the Sultanahmet Mosque (Side facing Hagia Sophia)

The grand Sultanahmet Mosque visible over a fountain.



Approaching the Sultanahmet mosque from the side. Hagia Sophia is exactly opposite this side.



Closer still.



That's me outside the mosque. Picture taken by a Chinese tourist. There were loads of them around.



Just outside the side entrance.



That's me outside the side entrance. Picture taken by a woman (origin unknown)!



Sultanahmet Camii (pronounced 'jami').



The door to the mosque.



The side of the mosque.

The Sultanahmet Mosque

The inscription on top of the main door



Facing towards the front of the mosque. You immediately notice the huge and elaborate chandelier in the middle of the praying area.



A closer look at the chandelier.



From the side, the front of the mosque. Notice the elaborate windows!



Another view.



The stairs from where the imam gives his sermon.



The imam's domain!



A view of the domed ceiling.



The windows.



This is to the side of the mosque. People can sit here and read the Quran.



Same area.

A History of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofia)

Hagia Sophia or Holy Wisdom is the mother church of all Eastern Christians of the Byzantine liturgical tradition both Orthodox and Greek Catholic. Early accounts suggest that the site of this, the grandest church in Christendom, in the first millennium had been the site of a pagan temple appropriated for the service of the new religion. The first church on the site was built by the Eastern Roman Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantine, who had liberated the Christian faith from centuries of persecution. Constantius' church was consecrated in 360 AD. At first it was known as the Great Church because it was the largest at the time. Later it became known as Holy Wisdom, a name attributed to Christ by theologians of the 4th century.

In 404 AD the church was destroyed by mobs set into action when Emperor Arcadius sent Archbishop John Chrysostom into exile for his criticism of the Empress. In 415 AD Emperor Theodosius II rebuilt the church. It too fell victim to a rampaging mob at the time of Monophysite heretics in 532 AD. The new Emperor Justinian, firm defender of orthodoxy, made short work of the howling heretics and ordered that construction begin on a new basilica such as had never been seen before. The construction work lasted from 532 to 537; the new church was consecrated by Patriarch Menas on December 27, 537.

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofia)

I had heard a lot about the Hagia Sofia (Aya Sofia) and was really excited to see it. However, the building somehow loses to the grand image people have built up. But then you realise that it's not a modern building but a structure made in the year 537. The old basilica was made in 404 over the remains of which the new one was constructed. Just to be walking on the same stones that people 1500 years ago walked on just gives you a sensation of the deep history. Your spine tingles. I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen when you look at the pics I've posted. Mine still does!

This church was the biggest church in all of christiandom when it was completed in 537 until the St. Peters Church in Rome - more than a THOUSAND years later.

Spoonmaker's Diamond

The Spoonmaker's Diamond, kept in Topkapı Palace, is the world's fifth biggest diamond. It got its name when someone found it on a rubbish heap, thought it was a fake, and swapped it for three spoons.

I plan to check out the Topkapı Palace on the coming weekend. Let's hope I get time and get to see the diamond!

Belly Dancing!

Finally I get to see the much-hyped belly dance of Turkey!

Sunset on the Marmara

Sunsets on the sea are always beautiful! And so was this. However, when the coastline silhouette has the grand minars of the Ottoman-era mosques of Istanbul, it makes a completely new experience. This was one of the most unforgettable moments for me!