Monday, October 26, 2009

Turkey: Images 05

Aya Sofya was built in the 530's by the Byzentine Emperor Justinian. After the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935, it was converted into a museum. Some of the Christian imagery suvived nearly 500 years while the building was used as a mosque.
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This mosaic from about 1261 has the Virgin Mary, Christ and John the Baptist.
This mosaic from 1122 features the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, emperor John II Comnenus and empress Irene.
This mosaic, from the 11th century, features the Christ, emperor Constantine IX Monomachus, and empress Zoe.
Among things you don't see often, Virgin Mary and child (from 867), flanked by huge medallions of Allah and Muhammad.

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