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The amazing ceiling and internal design of the famous main prayer room of Hagia Sophia Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
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The curved ceiling of the upper enclosure of the Hagia Sophia. The Loge of the Empress is on the left, where the empress and the court ladies watched the proceedings in the basilica below.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2616
22 June 2024
One of the basket capitals inside the Hagia Sophia. This one is carved with monogram of Justinian and his imperial title basileús. Others have the monogram of Theodora (augoústa).
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Türkiye #7965
22 June 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
@natashaemersonphotos @pictoquesto
Calligraphhic roundel of Hasan ibn Ali, grandson of Islamic prophet Muhammad inside the Hagia Sophia.
Hasan briefly ruled as Rashidun caliph from January to August 661. He is considered as the second Imam in Shia Islam, succeeding Ali and preceding his brother Husayn.
It is one of eight medallions, each measuring 7.5 metres in diameter, added in the 19th century. They bear the names of Allah, Mohammed and his grandsons, Hasan and Hussein, and four caliphates in calligraphy written by Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Efeni.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2543
22 June 2024
The geometric shapes inside the Hagia Sophia.
Istanbul, Türkiye #8223
22 June 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
@natashaemersonphotos @pictoquesto
The colourful interior paiting of the arches, ceiling and dome inside the Hagia Sophia.
Istanbul, Türkiye #8140
22 June 2024
One of the many chandeliers inside the Hagia Sophia.
Istanbul, Türkiye #7912
Originally a church, later a mosque, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. After the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 it was converted to a mosque and became the principal mosque of Istanbul until 1616. Upon its conversion Islamic architectural features were added. This photo showcases the mixed religious and artistic history of Hagia Sophia.
Greek Orthodox church (c.â360 ADâ1054)
Eastern Orthodox church (1054-1204; 1261-1453)
Roman Catholic church (1204â1261)
Sunni Muslim mosque (1453â1934; 2020âpresent)
Museum (1935â2020)
Windows at the base of the dome make it look as though it is floating. Additional windows from it time as a church let in additional light, and the chandeliers were added when it became a mosque. The name of Allah is on the roundel in the left corner of the photo.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2522
22 June 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
@pictoquesto @natashaemersonphotos
The main prayer hall of the Hagia Sophia. Key features include the hünkâr mahfili, minbar, semi-domes, stained glass windows, a fresco of a seraphim and the marble columns and chandeliers.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2633
22 June 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
The Presentation Mosaic, or Southwest Vestibule Mosaic, dates from the 10th century. It depictis Emperor Constantine who established Istanbul on the right, holding a model of the city. On the left, Emperor Justinian, who constructed Hagia Sophia, holding its model. They both present the models to the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Türkiye #8234
22 June 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
Umar, second caliph and the name of Muhammad on calligraphic roundels above the Muezzinâs Loge (mahfil) in the main prayer hall of the Hagia Sophia.
The muezzin recites the iqamah (second call to prayer) from the mahfil as well as the tasbihat (glorification) at the end of prayer. The original marble loge was built during the reign of Murad III in the 16th century
Istanbul, Türkiye #2667
22 June 2024
Inside the Hagia Sophia. Eight calligraphic roundels were added in the 19th century, the frescoes of seraphims date back to the 13th century.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2584
22 June 2024
One of the roundels, over 7 metres in diameter, bearing the name Hussain, grandson of the prophet Muhammad, written in calligraphy by Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Efeni, one of the most famous calligraphers of the mid-19th century.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Türkiye #2731
22 June 2024
Semi-dome above the northern end of the main prayer hall of the Hagia Sophia. The 11th century Empress Zoe mosaic and 12th century Comnenus mosaic can be seen on the second floor gallery. The calligraphic roundels in the mosque meature 7.5 metres in diameter, and bear the names of Muhammad (on the right), his grandsons, Hasan and Hussain and four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Uthman, Umar and Ali).
One of the seraphim frescoes has a metal cap over the face, placed there when it was converted to a mosque in the 15th century. The faces were discovered and then covered back by the Fossati brothers after restoration works in the 19th century, and uncovered again in 2009.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2630
22 June 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
The northern tympanum of the Hagia Sophia features mosaics of various saints in poor condition and more recently painted motifs and borders, The pendentives feature seraphims (frescoes that again replace former mosaics). Beneath the tympanum is the Loge of the Empress.
The Hagia Sophia is topped by a dome 31 metres in diameter. It is considered the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture and was the world's largest cathedral until it was converted into a mosque in the 15th century.
Because of its historical significance (Greek Orthodox church,
Eastern Orthodox church, Roman Catholic church, Sunni Muslim mosque, it was reopened as a museum in 1935. However, it was re-converted into a mosque in July 2020. Restoration is ongoing.
The calligraphy on the roundels bear the names of Ali and Uthman, the fourth and third caliphs, respectively.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2664
22 June 2024
Ornate basket capitals, verd antique and marble columns and decorative arches inside the Hagia Sophia. The basket capitals are carved with monograms of the names Justinian and Theodora and their imperial titles "basileús" and "augoústa".
Istanbul, Türkiye #7919
22 June 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
@natashaemersonphotos @pictoquesto
A decorative balcony over the main prayer hall inside the Hagia Sophia.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2549
22 June 2024
The colours, curves and light inside the Hagia Sophia.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2703
22 June 2024
Marble columns are topped with basket capitals that are carved with monograms of the names Justinian and Theodora and their imperial titles "basileús" and "augoústa"
Hagia Sopia, Istanbul, Türkiye #8189
The Marble Door inside the Hagia Sophia was used by the participants in synods. They entered and left the meeting chamber through this door. Some believe that one side represents heaven while the other represents hell.
The panels are covered in fruit and fish motifs.
Istanbul, Türkiye #2656
22 June 2024