Istanbul - Hagia Sophia

“There are many important monuments in Istanbul, but this venerable structure – commissioned by the great Byzantine emperor Justinian, consecrated as a church in 537, converted to a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453 and declared a museum by Atatürk in 1935 – surpasses the rest due to its innovative architectural form, rich history, religious importance and extraordinary beauty.” I guess I have got nothing to add! (Source: Lonely Planet Istanbul)

Von außen eher unspektakulär...

...von innen dafür umso interessanter!

Da im Islam die Darstellung von Gesichtern in Moscheen verboten ist wurde es übermalt und erst 2009 wieder freigelegt.

Blick in Richtung der Blauen Moschee.