Georgio R.
Look Up
Yes, look way up to the ceiling of the dome of Haghia Sophia ("Divine Wisdom") in Istanbul, Turkey (under restoration at the time, hence the scaffold). Generally considered to be the greatest and one of the world's most beautiful buildings. (see a photo of the exterior elsewhere in this set).
This was originally built as a Christian church between 532 A.D. and 537 A.D. by Justinian.
Much later in 1453 A.D. it became a Moslem mosque in 1453 A.D. when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople and it was renamed Aya Sofya Cami'i.
In 1932, the mosque was closed and converted into a museum on the orders of Attaturk, the founder of "modern" Turkey.
Construction particulars and other information can be found here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia
(best viewed large)
Look Up
Yes, look way up to the ceiling of the dome of Haghia Sophia ("Divine Wisdom") in Istanbul, Turkey (under restoration at the time, hence the scaffold). Generally considered to be the greatest and one of the world's most beautiful buildings. (see a photo of the exterior elsewhere in this set).
This was originally built as a Christian church between 532 A.D. and 537 A.D. by Justinian.
Much later in 1453 A.D. it became a Moslem mosque in 1453 A.D. when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople and it was renamed Aya Sofya Cami'i.
In 1932, the mosque was closed and converted into a museum on the orders of Attaturk, the founder of "modern" Turkey.
Construction particulars and other information can be found here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia
(best viewed large)