The Ayasofya

  The Ayasofaya (also spelled as Haiga Sophia) is a former Greek Orthodox basilica, which later became an Imperial Mosque, and is currently a museum. The word "Sophia" is a Latin phonetic spelling of the Greek word "Wisdom"...this the structure became known as "the Wisdom of God". The structure was built in 537 as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral and he seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople - actually it was the third such structure on the site, with the first two being destroyed by rioters - except for the period between 1204 and 1261 when it was converted into. Catholic Cathedral. In 1454, the Ottomans converted the edifice into a mosque and it stayed that way until 1931 when it was secularized and work began to make it a museum. Next to the Blue Mosque, the Ayasofya is the second most visited site in Turkey.

Balcony view of the main floor.

The Sultan's box in which to watch ceremonies.

When the Ayosofya was a mosque, believers would purify themselves at this fountain before going into pray.

The main altar area.

A beautiful set of stairs on the right side of the altar.

These marble doors separated the Emperor's chambers from the meeting rooms of the church members.

The Baptistry courtyard was used for lamp oil storage.

This 11th century mosaic depicted Jesus in the middle, Emperor Constantine IX on the left and Emperess Zoe on the right.