Our last day in Istanbul was spent at the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya). This is another impressive piece of architecture and ancient history. It has been converted many times...three churches, a mosque, and now a museum.
When it was converted into a mosque, the bells, altars and other items were removed and many of the mosaics were plastered over.
When it was converted into a museum, some of the mosaics were restored but parts of some were lost because of the plaster that was used to cover them. Below left is a mosaic of the Arch Angel Gabriel, on the right is the Apse mosaic, Virgin Mother and Child, and below is the Empress Zoe mosaic depicting Christ giving his blessing with the right hand and holding a bible in the left. He is flanked by Constantine and Empress Zoe.
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