May 13, 2009

the magnificent Hagia Sophia


from the greek, Ἁγία Σοφία, "holy wisdom"

the current building was constructed in 537 a.d. as a patriarchal church in the byzantine empire.
in 1453 when the ottoman turks captured constantinople (istanbul) it was converted into a mosque.
in 1935 it was converted to a museum by the republic of turkey.

"magnificent" - adjective - impressively beautiful, elaborate or extravagant, striking







the dome was under renovation

1 comment:

ajay noronha said...

they are still renovating it??!! fab pics, minoo