Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
|
|
 An illustrated guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, sacred art & architecture, historic religious places & more. |
|
Turkey
Turkey Sites Index
Turkey Map
Turkey Photos
Turkey Travel Forum
Turkey Car Rentals
Akdamar Island
Akhisar (Thyatira)
Antioch (Antakya)
Aphrodisias
Didyma
Ephesus
Göreme
Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
Istanbul
Izmir (Smyrna)Izmit (Nicomedia)
Iznik (Nicea)
Konya (Iconium)
Laodicea
Miletus
Myra
Pergamum (Bergama)
Philadelphia
Pisidian Antioch
Priene
Sardis
Tarsus
Istanbul
Istanbul City Guide
Istanbul Map
Istanbul Photos
Istanbul Tours
Istanbul Hotel Reviews
Istanbul Car Rentals
Istanbul Travel Forum
Archaeological Museum
Beyazit Mosque
Blue Mosque
Church of Holy Apostles
Eyüp Sultan Camii
Fatih Camii
Fethiye Camii
Hagia Eirene
Hagia Sophia
Mosaic Museum
Orthodox Patriarchate
St Savior in Chora
Sts Sergius & Bacchus
Süleymaniye Camii
Yeni Camii
Zeyrek Camii
Byzantine Monuments of Istanbul
Lonely Planet Istanbul
Eyewitness Guide to Istanbul
A beautiful view of the Hagia Sophia from the south.
David Bjorgen.
The huge dome is supported by four giant pillars in the corners, along with the outcrop supports seen here.
The four minarets signify the building's importance, for only mosques built or restored by the sultan's family could have more than one.
Note the differences in the four minarets, which result from their being added at different times. The brick minaret (right) was placed first, under Sultan Mehmed II, and a second stone minaret was added to the north by Mimar Sinan during his restoration. The remaining two (left) are identical and date from the Murad III period.
Photo
Related pages:
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Istanbul City Guide
Istanbul Satellite Map
Turkey Travel Guide
Turkey Sacred Sites List