One more Turkish miracle. Beautiful Hagia Sophia

About Hagia Sophia (as well as about many others things) first time I heard from my turkish friend. First time I didn’t understand who is Hagia Sophia, and why my friend likes her very much..Of course I got jealous very much. Second time when I heard about this monument we stayed near it. But it was too late for coming inside, so just I could to tell: “Wow, I wonder, we should back here in earlier time, and look this building from inside”. After that moment I all time spoke about Hagia Sophia, I was very excited, and wanted to visit that museum as quick as possible. In 1 week I strolled inside oldest church in the world, and got enjoying from every detail which I seen.

When we came to that museum it was Monday, or Thursday. I don’t remember exactly day, but I remember it was Bayram. About 90% visitors in the que were foreigners. We didn’t spend much time in the que: maximum 15 minutes. We paid per 2 tickets 60 Turkish liras. Before coming inside the museum I saw a place for ritual bath (Taharat). Very attractive place, which was made from gold (that’s why it was wonderful for me).

In the first hall of Hagia Sophia there were many stands, where we could learn some historical information about Hagia Sophia. Here I learnt, that scientific investigations of Hagia Sophia started from 1st of February 1935. Till that time this place was just a Turkish Mosque. Proposal about transformation Hagia Sophia in monument was made by founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal (what can I say, he was really smart leader). Nowadays this museum the most visited in whole world. Have you any doubts about this? Than welcome to Hagia Sophia, where you can find different nationality people: Germans, English, Chinese, Korean,  Ukrainian, Russian, Greeks, etc.

So, why Hagia Sophia is one of the Miracles in the world. What is special in this building? Hagia Sophia was born, and consecrated as a church in 537 by Famous Byzantium Emperor Justinian I. In that time Hagia Sophia could shock people with a huge dome (more than 31 metros caliber), beautiful decorations (with mosaic) inside of building.

In the first floor, in big hall possible to see very old decorations, which were made in different centuries, and which show traditions of different cultures. Some of them saved very well, others Turkish engineers try to restore:

·                   Mosaic Panel the Apses. Here we can see preview of Virgin Mary, Archangel Michael (867).

·                   Mosaic Panel (12^th century), where are Byzantium Emperor John I, his wife Eirene, their son Alexios, and Christ in the centre. As I understood in that time was popular that Emperors made donating for Hagia Sophia. Instead of this architects made Mosaic Panels with their families.

·                   Mosaic Panel, where are Christ, Virgin Mary, John the Baptist. This Panel saved not good, but if to speak about time, when it was madden (13^th century) I can tell it still perfect.

·                   Library. I didn’t find there any book, but that place was full of positive energetic I can tell.

·                   Place for wishes (Christian). Near that place stays angel, which writes in the notebook list of human’s wishes. With such kind of fixation every wish will become real. This magic place you can find on the 2^nd floor, and for implementation any dream you should just put your finger in the small hole in the wall, and to scroll. I am not a kid, but if we came to the magic place why we can’t try to make a magic thing?)).

Marble Jar. There is one legend: if young girl (ortodox) will touch this Jan, she will have a twins

·                   Place, where the Empress watching to the church service. It’s  on the second floor. I am not Empress, and when I visited Hagia Sophia there wasn’t any church service (of course!), but I was enjoying from the view, which I could see from that point. Very nice!

After Ottoman Emperies took the Istanbul, they destroyed many cultural buildings, which were built by Byzantines. But they decided to safe (and I am very happy from this) Hagia Sophia. Of course from that time this centre of Christian culture got many signs from Muslim traditions.

·                   The Calligraphy bands, which were made by different sultans of Ottoman Empire (XVII century). I don’t know what they mean, and there wasn’t any explanation, but they saved very well).

I have picture about Calligraphy bands just in my memory. But I show you a perfect view main hall of Hagia Sophia.

·                   The Mihrab (XIX century). A place, where imam read his prays.

·                   The Big Round Calligraphy Panels(XIX century) in the Apses. I didn’t like that sign. And at list I didn’t like signs from Muslim culture in Christian church. Ha-ha… noo… I am not a racist. I respect with other religion but (!), I think if Hagia Sophia could develop as a Christian church it would be more attractive.

Of course I didn’t tell about all decorations, which you can find in this huge place, and which will make you wonder. But if to speak about me, I listed those things, which saved in my memory. I would like to back in Hagia Sophia after restoration. I would like my children, and grandchildren could come there and get enjoy!)