Aya Sofya, breathtaking (Haghia Sophia)

Member Name: llamass

Product:	Haghia Sophia
Date:	23/05/09 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: astounding architecture and history

Disadvantages: many, many tourists

Of all the spectacular sights in Istanbul, and there are many, the Haghia Sophia (also known as the Aya Sofya) tops the list for me. Built as a church in the 6th century under Justinian I and converted into a mosque in the 15th century after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans, no other building so fully captures the history of the city, it's turmoil and change over the centuries and it's power of adaption.

Haghia Sophia is now a museum, having been converted in 1935. The inside defies words, with the huge dome holding the prize as the largest in the world from the time it was build for around 1000 years. Interesting too is the layers of decoration that can be seen inside-the original church had mosaics as well as abstract design which were largely covered with plaster when the building was converted to a mosque. However, this was never fully completed and some of the mosaics have been uncovered leaving a fascinating mixture of the original Christian design and the later decorative arab script. It is the layering of design here that shows the fascinating history of the city as a whole and it's position as a crossroads of east and west.

Open 9am-6pm with an entrance fee of 20 YTL, guides are also available at the entrance.

Summary: Definitely one of the must-sees in Istanbul