Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Need to Know
TOP TIP
Museum Pass İstanbul (
www.muze.gov.tr/museum_pass
) gives discoun-
ted entrance.
CROWDS
Go early or late to avoid the hordes.
For further cover-
age,
Click here
Aya Sofya Don't Miss List
BY GAMZE ARTAMAN, PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE
1 'FLOATING' DOME
This dome changed the history of architecture. In a wholly original manner, they ap-
plied a circular plan on top of a rectangular plan; the cupola resting on four triangular
pendentives implements the transition from the dome's circular base to the rectangular
base below. For almost a thousand years there was no building better than this. To ex-
ceed the Aya Sofya was the dream of all architects and engineers, their inspiration to
build higher domes and larger churches.
2 APSE
The beautiful mosaic in the apse of Child Jesus in the lap of his mother, Mary, is
flanked by Arabic inscriptions relating to Allah and Mohammed. It's amazing to find
two religions together, and to see this kind of composition in a 99% Muslim country.
3 DEESIS (LAST JUDGEMENT) MOSAIC
This scene in the south gallery upstairs has some interesting features, such as the way
Mary and John the Baptist are depicted. Their emotions are clearly visible, which is
very unusual for the 12th century, especially before the Renaissance. Maybe the artists
of Constantinople were about to start their own Renaissance, but alas, the Ottomans ar-
rived! Indeed, early Renaissance art has a considerable amount of Byzantine influence.
4 OMPHALION (CORONATIONS AREA)
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