* Turkey *
(the two wonders)
^[ The Blue Mosque & Hagia Sofia ]^
Turkey; where all the empires of the world gathered. All the major empires that once ruled the world left a mark here. Going here without enough knowledge about the world is a definite waste. Therefore, make sure you did your homework before going here. Seriously.
Among the most popular landmarks of Turkey are Sultanahmet Mosque (also known as The Blue Mosque) and Hagia Sofia (pronounced as Aya Sofia). One is a mosque and the latter is currently a museum.
Basically, the blue mosque was built to challenge Hagia Sofia. It was built by the student of Mihmar Sinan; the reknown architect of Ottoman Empire.
Being in the mosque makes your heart fill with wonder. It reflects the grandeur and the glory of the Ottoman empire. The walls are covered with tiles that were arranged in the most magnificient manner. This mosque is the biggest mosque in Istanbul and is the pride of the empire.
^[ the interior ]^
^[ The sultan's lodge; the only question all of us could answer ;) ]^
Hagia Sofia started off as a church during the Byzantine period. It was built to challenge the temple of Solomon. When it was finished, Justinian claimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!" ...or something like that. I know I read it from somewhere.
Anyway.
It was also a mosque and now it is a museum. Currently it is under renovation, but you can still enter it. When you take a step inside, you will first see a few openings with different sizes. When you enter the main hall, you will see the most interesting (or, rather, weird) view. Arabic writings plus Christian drawings. In one place, on the same ceiling, beside each other, or, one above the other.
To me, personally, it does not feel right. I think it is better to just leave it as a mosque. Somehow, it makes you frown; two very different things in one place.
^[ The infant Jesus and the virgin Mary up there ]^
^[ Those are the wings of angels ]^
Both of these buildings have an enormous dome in the middle of it. Hagia Sofia's dome is bigger than the mosque's.
For more pictures, you can visit Dayah's fotopage.
^[ The stained glasses make me melt...]^
(the two wonders)
^[ The Blue Mosque & Hagia Sofia ]^
Turkey; where all the empires of the world gathered. All the major empires that once ruled the world left a mark here. Going here without enough knowledge about the world is a definite waste. Therefore, make sure you did your homework before going here. Seriously.
Among the most popular landmarks of Turkey are Sultanahmet Mosque (also known as The Blue Mosque) and Hagia Sofia (pronounced as Aya Sofia). One is a mosque and the latter is currently a museum.
Basically, the blue mosque was built to challenge Hagia Sofia. It was built by the student of Mihmar Sinan; the reknown architect of Ottoman Empire.
Being in the mosque makes your heart fill with wonder. It reflects the grandeur and the glory of the Ottoman empire. The walls are covered with tiles that were arranged in the most magnificient manner. This mosque is the biggest mosque in Istanbul and is the pride of the empire.
^[ the interior ]^
^[ The sultan's lodge; the only question all of us could answer ;) ]^
Hagia Sofia started off as a church during the Byzantine period. It was built to challenge the temple of Solomon. When it was finished, Justinian claimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!" ...or something like that. I know I read it from somewhere.
Anyway.
It was also a mosque and now it is a museum. Currently it is under renovation, but you can still enter it. When you take a step inside, you will first see a few openings with different sizes. When you enter the main hall, you will see the most interesting (or, rather, weird) view. Arabic writings plus Christian drawings. In one place, on the same ceiling, beside each other, or, one above the other.
To me, personally, it does not feel right. I think it is better to just leave it as a mosque. Somehow, it makes you frown; two very different things in one place.
^[ The infant Jesus and the virgin Mary up there ]^
^[ Those are the wings of angels ]^
Both of these buildings have an enormous dome in the middle of it. Hagia Sofia's dome is bigger than the mosque's.
For more pictures, you can visit Dayah's fotopage.
^[ The stained glasses make me melt...]^
Comments