Istanbul Apartments

The cupola, which one can see nowadays, was created in 563. It's a real masterpiece: along its perimeter the windows are located, so it creates the impression that the cupola is just flying. During 9000 years Hagia Sofia was the main cathedral in Constantinople (the former name of Istanbul). In 1453 by the order of Mehmet the Conquer the Orthodox Church was turned into a mosque. The minarets were added, the mosaics were hidden under the thick layer of plaster, due to that they were saved till nowadays.

Being a strong supporter of the division of church and country, in 1935 Ataturk decided to create from Hagia Sofia a museum, just then the plaster was removed. Most of the inscriptions in the basilica are Arabic, but one can also find some Christian icons, among which there is a mosaics of St Johan. In the north wing takes place a special column of murmur and bronze, from which according to the legend, water runs.
Read more: guide to Istanbul with maps, photos and weather conditions.

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