Seen through the domes of the Turkish Bath, the Hagia Sophia looks more like a mosque with its four minarets than the Greek Orthodox Church built in 537 AD. It was converted to a mosque in1455 after the Ottoman invasion of 1453.
All Christian iconography was covered with plaster at the time and Islamic symbols replaced them. The good news is that the plaster is removable and the original frescoes can be revealed as the museum it has now become restores the church to its original state. It is the fifth largest church in the world.
The Hagia Sophia is now a museum and both religious influences can be seen. The stair way on the right leads to the seat used by the Iman during Islamic ceremonies. To the left is the Christian altar.
Note the Islamic symbols along side the Christian.
This image of Jesus is being restored. You can see the plaster at the bottom. This particular image is famous for the eyes of Jesus following you where ever you are when you look at him. Disquieting, but true.
Going to post in shorter blasts so I don't loose this stuff.
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