Istanbul in Photos – Agya Sophia
Turkey has been high on my list for awhile, so I was more than excited when we landed in Istanbul. There are so many amazing sites to see in Istanbul that we didn’t even get to all of the ones we planned on seeing. Many of them, like Agya Sophia, are best described through pictures, so I thought I’d do a few photo posts about our time in Istanbul.
From the outside, Agya Sophia looks similar to many of the mosques in the area because of the minarets. This building started out as a church, later became a mosque, and is now a museum.
You can still see signs of Christianity throughout the museum from its original purpose as a church. However, there are also many Islamic details as well from a later time. I thought it was interesting to be able to see the many transitions of this beautiful place.
I’m always in awe of old structures knowing they were built by people without any sort of machinery like we have today. The height of Agya Sophia and the details on the ceiling are amazing. I can’t help but wonder, how did they get up there to construct it?
Agya Sophia’s size is almost overwhelming. But this actually helped it not feel crowded despite the number of people in there. Don’t be deterred by the long line outside, it moves quickly. And when you get inside and see views like this, it will be worth the wait.
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June 14, 2012 @ 2:30 PM
Love the photos. I actually didn’t go in while I was in Istanbul. I plan on going back though and this time I will not skip going inside. It looks amazing.
June 14, 2012 @ 11:22 PM
Thanks Jaime! I hope you do go inside, it’s really pretty in there.
June 14, 2012 @ 2:51 PM
I would have loved to capture my reaction when I first walked in. Incredible wasnt it? Wonderful photos!
June 14, 2012 @ 11:23 PM
Thanks Pete! Definitely an amazing place, especially inside.
June 15, 2012 @ 12:12 AM
It is beautiful inside. There are lots churches/buildings in Spain also that have been Islamic, then Christian. Some claim to have been Christian, Islamic, Christian. I think it is so great that each successor did not pull the building down and start again.
Thanks for showing us the inside in photos.
June 15, 2012 @ 2:18 PM
Thanks Jan! I remember there being a lot of places like that in Spain too, and I agree, so great that they left the building instead of tearing it down.
June 15, 2012 @ 4:51 PM
You have done really well with capturing details close up. My zoom lens was not that good and I struggled to get good photos. Love yours though
June 15, 2012 @ 6:22 PM
Thank you Natalie! I took so many pictures in there!
June 15, 2012 @ 6:55 PM
I remember it well! Considering we were only there in April it is hard to forget but totally gorgeous inside and out.
June 15, 2012 @ 8:51 PM
We were there towards the beginning of April, we must have just missed you! Glad you enjoyed it.
June 15, 2012 @ 11:20 PM
These are my favorite photos you’ve ever taken!
June 16, 2012 @ 2:47 PM
Wow, thank you Andi!
June 15, 2012 @ 11:23 PM
You did a really nice job capturing the inside!! I can’t even recall if I took more than a few while I was there. Love it!
June 16, 2012 @ 2:48 PM
Thanks Heather! I take tons of pictures when I travel, and I was playing with my new camera, so I definitely lots.
June 16, 2012 @ 10:02 AM
Wow, what wonderful photos! We have only visited Istanbul on a long layover on the way back from our trip to Jordan. We definitely need to go back and see more of this beautiful city.
June 16, 2012 @ 2:49 PM
Thanks Jennifer! We absolutely loved Istanbul, such a great city! You should definitely check it out.
June 16, 2012 @ 10:10 AM
That was a good day. I remember how hot it was outside and how cool it was inside. I never thought about it, but you are right with the size of the building meaning that it never really felt crowded.
June 16, 2012 @ 2:50 PM
It was nice and cool inside, that was great! Thanks Andy!
June 17, 2012 @ 6:47 AM
This are beautiful photos! I’ve always wanted to go there. I think the inside looks more spectacular than the outside — as hard as it is to top!
June 17, 2012 @ 5:37 PM
Thanks Ellen! I thought the inside was more beautiful than the outside too, although it is wonderful from the outside too.
June 17, 2012 @ 4:31 PM
I loved this place – so many interesting details!
June 17, 2012 @ 5:38 PM
Definitely, you could spend hours looking at all the details!
June 17, 2012 @ 7:32 PM
Beautiful! The size and details are so amazing.
June 17, 2012 @ 10:22 PM
Thanks Sabrina! I loved it there!
June 21, 2012 @ 3:12 PM
Ali, what a pleasure to find your blog – amazing photos of Hagia Sophia!! I have been going back there over 10 years, everytime I go, still feel excited. Mosaics, Arabic tablets, all together, ana amazing site.A construction marvel too, even today’s age. Great photos, I will be back there in Aug!
June 21, 2012 @ 8:38 PM
Thanks! My husband and I really enjoyed Turkey. Istanbul is a city I could visit again and again. And the food…wow, I loved the food in Turkey! I totally agree with you, Hagia Sophia is a beautiful place!
A 9 day layover in Istanbul in photos.
October 9, 2012 @ 7:35 AM
[…] I spent them being a tourist… I had been to Istanbul 3 times, but had never been inside the Hagia Sophia so finally did that. I also did some shopping for me, my family and friends back home at the Grand […]