Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia – A magnificent host to history
In A.D. 532, Justinian the Great of the Eastern Roman Empire (Emperor Justinian I) took a decision to build a church that would make all the other religious monuments look pale before it.
Hence, after a period of nearly five years in 537 A.D., Justinian the Great, at the inaugural ceremony of the Hagia Sophia, announced with pride, saying, “ Oh Solomon, I have surpassed you,” while referring to the Solomon Temple, considered to be the first ever temple of Judaism, built in the 10th century BCE by the Son of David.
The Hagia Sophia is located at the heart of Sultanahmet district in the city of Istanbul. It can be easily recognized even from a far off distance by its unique pink-terracotta color. Both the Hagia Sophia as well as its Muslim counterpart (Sultanahmet) are regarded to be the two greatest historical monuments of the Eminonu district. Sultanahmet is also home to several famous historical masterpiece of historical importance including the famous Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern.
Meaning ‘God’s sacred wisdom,’ Hagia Sophia is part of the three churches made by Justinian the Great who was known as an “emperor who never sleeps.” The Aya Irene, meaning the sacred peace of God, and the Aya Dinamos, meaning the sacred strength of God, look pale when compared to the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya in Turkish). Although, the Aya Irene can still be found within the complex of the Hagia Sophia, there are no remains to be found of the Aya Dinamos.
In an exclusive interview given to sultanahmet1.com, a professional tour guide since two decades and an architect, Adnan Ozerler, says, “The Ayasofya was actually built on top of an Athenian temple.” Also a member of the Istanbul Tour Guides Union (TUREB), Ozerler goes on to add saying,”Back in the fourth and fifth centuries there were two temples in what later became Constantinople. These were later destroyed by dissidents.”
Ozerler revealed that the Hagia Sophia happens to be the first ever basilica to have a dome and the largest structure of the archaic age. It is believed to be cost nearly 20,000 pounds of gold. Being made of blocks of stone along with the layers of bricks used in-between; the monument has withstood the test of time. According to Ozerler, the wall of the Hagia Sophia happens to be the hardest type of wall, and the same pattern was followed while constructing the walls around Constantinople (now Istanbul) by Constantine the Great. After the construction of the walls around the city of Constantinople, the construction of the Hagia Sophia was a simple task for the architects and laborers.
The rosy terracotta color of the building that we see today was not the original color. The gray bricks were not painted with any color and were left uncovered. Ozerler adds, “We believe that there was fresco and a chemical coat to protect it from damage caused by rain.” The Hagia Sophia which we see today happens to be almost the same after the changes done to it by Faith Sultan Mehmet in 1453.
Meanwhile, some of the major changes made to the Hagia Sophia are as follows---
- The dome originally had a painting of Mary and Jesus. However, as the paintings of people are not allowed in Islam, so, a chapter taken from the Quran has been placed over the paintings. The chapter contains a reference to Mary and Jesus, both of whom are regarded with great respect in Islam.
- A couple of panels providing support to the building- these are nearly 1465 years old and have held the building stable for so much time.
- The four minarets of the building having names of their own. The first minaret, called the Fatih minaret was made by Fatih Sultan using bricks. The second minaret was made by Bayezid II, while the two other were made in the 16th century by Mimar Sinan on the orders of Selim II.
- There were several additions to this church to transform it into a mosque. Hence, although, Eastern Orthodox churches face Jerusalem, the Hagia Sophia was structured with its face towards Mecca. Other additions included the muaddhin mahver, the mihrab and mimbar, all of which face Mecca.
- Another change included a madrasa built in the Hagia Sophia by Fatih Sultan Mehmet during his reign.
So, we can see that the Hagia Sophia went through a huge transformation. The famous architect Ozerler explained during his interview that he saw a big chip of painting falling from the ceiling just above the mimbar, revealing St. John’s (The Baptist) painting. “Such is the greatness of sultans such as Fatih Sultan Mehmet -- he chose to cover the original paintings instead of scraping them off completely,” stated Ozerler, as he recalled the destruction of numerous other structures by the emperors just to show off their supremacy many centuries ago.
Emperor Justinian the Great purchased marble from Aegean and the Thrace regions for building the church. He also left his mark on the top of each pillar within the building of the Hagia Sophia.
Hagia Sophia- an exquisite monument of motivation---
No doubt, the Hagia Sophia has undergone a huge transformation since the time during which it was built. However, the fact is that it was and will always remain a structure of grandeur for a long time to come. It was envied by Muslim sultans and architects who felt a feeling of awe and inspiration on seeing it.
To cite an example, once Sultan Mehmet I, who was a devoted Muslim, asked Sevekdar Mehmet Aga, an architect, to build a huge mosque that would surpass the Hagia Sophia. “Although the architect balked the criteria specified, saying that it would be a disproportionate and unaesthetic structure, he would eventually comply with the sultan’s request,” quotes Ozerler.
The Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) happens to be nearly 40 percent smaller than the Hagia Sophia, however, Sedefkar Mehmet Aga created the illusion to make the mosque appear bigger in comparison to the Hagia Sophia.
In Serbia, there is a replica of the Hagia Sophia. Known as the Sava Von Serbien Church, the construction of this building was completed in Belgrade during 1980s.
The Hagia Sophia happens to be a magnificent structure adorning the Bosphorus that has stood the test of time and will continue to be a source of inspiration for numerous mosques in the times to come.
Istanbul and exotic mystery…
When I stepped off of the ship in Istanbul I felt like I was in one of those “On the Road” movies starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Everywhere I looked I saw or smelled something so exotic and foreign to me I was simply mesmerized. Located in both Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a city of contrast, blending not only East and West, but also antiquity and the contemporary. One of our main attractions was the Byzantine Hagia Sophia, Church of Divine Wisdom. Built from 532 to 537 AD by the Emperor Justinian, it was to be the new Cathedral of Constantinople. It was the greatest Christian cathedral of the Middle Ages, and is regarded as one of the greatest and most beautiful buildings in the world. The mosaics inside were glorious. Mary, Jesus, and Joseph are beautifully illuminated by gold tiles, still full of color and life. Neither the pictures in the guidebooks nor the pictures we took were able to do it justice. Directly across from the Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque. Constructed from 1609 to 1616 by Sultan Ahmet I to compete with Hagia Sophia, it derives its name from the blue on the Iznik tiles inside. Once again, no picture is able to do it justice. The fabulous patterns and colors adorning the interior of the mosque are stunning. The light shining in seems to be from another world. The prayers of the faithful echo from the walls, it was an experience none of us will ever forget. Across from the Blue Mosque is the Grand Bazaar, built by Mehmet the Conqueror (1451). This covered maze of some 4,000 shops sells everything from inexpensive souvenirs to spices and priceless treasures. The smells, the wares, the variety of clothing worn by the customers, inside the bazaar I experienced a culture so foreign, so rich, it was exhilarating. The Topkapi Palace was yet another major site we were able to tour during our day and a half in Instanbul. Used as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853, it is currently a museum for the Imperial Era, and is one of the best tourist experiences in Istanbul. Not only does Topkapi Palace have many fantastic examples of Ottoman architecture, the museum houses a large collection of porcelain, robes, weapons, armors, shields, murals, treasure and jewelry. And there are multitudes of incredible Iznik tiles adorning the palace. My biggest thrill was the Imperial Treasury — four rooms Þlled with unbelievable treasures, the most unbelievable being the Spoonmaker’s Diamond weighing in at an astonishing 86 carats. My friend Jeanie and I stood in front of it so long the guards became suspicious and made us move along. There are relics of the Prophet Mohammed inside the palace, and those rooms are packed. Dining in Istanbul is outstanding. You choose from traditional dishes and seafood served from street carts, Þsh markets, or in charming restaurants. Turkey introduced coffee to Europe. Go ahead, have a cup of this mystic elixir. Two members of my group attended a belly dance/dining experience in Istanbul that was reportedly spell- binding. The dancing ability of the women was astonishing to my friends. Istanbul is a wonderful window into ancient times, a fabulous destination where you are guaranteed to lose yourself in culture and history. Don’t miss out on any opportunity to experience Istanbul for yourself.
07 December 2009
http://www.mcalesternews.com/homepage/local_story_341094943.html?keyword=leadpicturestory
Arasta Bazaar in Sultanahmet
Located just next to the famous Blue Mosque in the small streets of Sultanahmet is the smaller version of the Grand Bazaar called the Arasta Bazaar.
It was built around the same time as the Blue Mosque and was a famous marketplace of Sultanahmet. The rents of the shops in this bazaar contributed towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Blue Mosque. It was known by the name of Sipahiler Bazaar in Ottoman period and was a favorite place for buying cavalry items.
However, later, it came to be used as a house for horses. This bazaar was damaged by fires and remained ignored for a number of years. It was only in 1974 that efforts were made to revamp the area.
At present, the bazaar has nearly 83 shops dealing in textiles and carpets. The shops also exhibit many items bought by tourists as souvenirs and gifts to lure wandering tourists to have a look inside the shops. If you happen to walk through the streets of this bazaar while doing window shopping, do not forget to take a break to enjoy the walkway.
While strolling along the walkway of the bazaar, you will notice several pieces of tiles and mosaics visible between the stones. These mosaics and tiles are the remnants of Byzantium’s Great Palace built by Constantine the Great. The design of this palace was originally made by Emperor Constantine I. The huge structure included a large number of state buildings, churches, libraries, fountains, assembly halls, stadiums, chapels, audience rooms, thermal baths and numerous courtyards.
However, over the years, the huge complex was ravaged by natural calamities including fires and earthquakes and remained neglected. If you want to have a look at the remnant mosaics from this palace, visit the Mosaic Museum located just next to the Bazaar (Arasta Bazaar). After you finish seeing the designer artworks of the palace and reach the exit point, you will be brought at the heart of this bazaar once again.
The Arasta Bazaar, with its laid-back atmosphere, happens to be the best bet for shopping carpets as compared to the Grand Bazaar. As the tourist season approaches, all the shopkeepers can be seen out in the bazaar to lure more and more customers into their shops with handful of tea glasses.
However, there is no persistence to buy anything as is common in other shopping areas of Sultanahmet. Moreover, the visitors to this bazaar are serious shoppers who are clear about what they want and where to shop for.
If you want to shop for collectable textiles, the best place in the Arasta Bazaar happens to be Mehmet Cetinkaya’s Maison du Tapis d’Orient. This shop was opened in 1986 and is quite famous the world over for buying reasonably priced Turkish textiles.
Another famous shopping place in this bazaar is Cocoon that was established by Mustafa Demir and Seref Ozen in 1995. This shop is known for affordable and quality goods. It is famous store for buying Turkmen embroideries and rugs from Central Asia.
Just at the beginning of the Arasta Bazaar, a small café stages a show called ‘whirling dervish show’ for tourists at night. If you don’t have a liking for touristy performances, then you must miss this show. However, for those wanting to witness a whirling dervish ceremony, the best thing is to visit Sirkeci train station or Galata Mevlevi Han.
A refreshing and instant snack meal can be enjoyed at the café located at the end of this shopping area near the Blue Mosque. You will not just get a perfect view of the Blue Mosque from this café but also see people having lunch, sipping tea and taking a puff of a nargile.
For those who want to enjoy a real sumptuous meal, the Mavi Ev Hotel situated across the street from this bazaar is the best bet. While enjoying meal at this restaurant, watch the exotic views of some of the famous places of Sultanahmet from the rooftop terrace of this restaurant.
Whether you want to refresh yourself after a hectic day of shopping and sightseeing or just want to gear up for a big shopping spree, a visit to the famous Java Studio for having the best coffee with delicious pastry is a must.
