Our Hagia Sopia Sunday

The Hagia Sophia Sunday

Brian and I went on an afternoon adventure with two of his teammates from Tunsia. Jacem has spent time in Istanbul before, so he acted as our guide. We took a taxi to the old city and wandered through some neighborhoods on our way. We passed the Spice Bazaar, but didn't go in because we could literally spend an entire afternoon there. Due to my fair skin and freckles, the vendors always call out to me in English, which is kind of funny, except that I stick out so much. We passed a plant stall and I wanted to pick up some seeds for my father's garden. This led to a long discussion about customs and FDA and Ag board limits, which in hindsight, I really should have known better. I'd like to think my momentary diztiness was thanks to my pure excitement. I keep having 'holy cow' moments--I'm in ISTANBUL!!

But I digress, the Hagia Sophia.. It was built as the largest Catholic Church in Europe in 534 ACE, and then in 1174 was converted into a Mosque by the then ruling party. In the early 1930's, it was made into a museum and it's spectacular. There are paintings on the walls and ceilings of the Madonna and Child, of the Archangel Gabriel, of St. John the Baptist.. In Islam, they do not depict any faces whatsoever, so the Islamic art is beautiful and intricate words in Arabic. I think that it is wonderful that when it was converted, they did not destroy the Christian art and that it has lasted through the centuries. It was humbling to be in a place with such history and religious significance to so many. They say that it was covered in gold accents and jewels were once on the walls. Centuries ago, they were stolen or sold to fund wars so all that remains are the incredible facades. I took some pictures, so please check out the meager album on my Facebook page. Many of the Christian depictions are actually large mosaics; the talent and skill of making these are astounding.

Beyond the main sanctuary, there are a number of surrounding buildings. After walking through the Supreme Door (only the Emperor was allowed through it), we came across the baptismal chambers. It had a large tub carved of stone, and Brian-the-Jew exclaimed "Look at the size of that hot tub!" Even our Muslim friends shook their heads, and I hope the whole experience was enlightening to him. I tried to explain and teach him things and I think he learned about other cultures, haha.

After the Hagia Sophia, we went to a sacred tomb that held the graves of daughters, sons, and wives of the Sultans. Before entering these holy places, you must remove your shoes and women must wear a head scarf. Luckily for me, they had some to borrow and Miriam showed me how to wear it. Jacem explained that as a sign of equality in death, grave stones must not be raised more than 30 centimeters above the ground, if you are a Sultan or a beggar. The walls were adorned with prayers in Arabic, the calligraphy was stunning. Beautiful chandeliers hung above, and silk draped each coffin. These tombs are scattered around Istanbul and are the resting places of Emperors and their families.

We had lunch in a restaurant over the Bosphorus River in a seafood place that had incredible views. It's common here that when you go to a fish restaurant, the servers proudly bring over a table filled with different kinds of fish. You then get to choose which creature you'd like. It was a little different, but Jacem informed me that it's the norm here and you just don't look them in the eyes...

It was a great afternoon on a wonderfully warm and sunny day. So far, so good in Turkey