Istanbul 2018

Istanbul – Hagia Sofia

Hagia Sofia interior. Over just five years, more than ten thousand people were employed in the construction of the cathedral, with columns and other marble elements being imported from all over the Mediterranean. When the building was completed, Justinian I (the Great) is reported to have stated: “Solomon, I have surpassed thee”.
Some of the basket capitals atop the columns are engraved with monograms of Justinian and his consort, Thedora.

To see more of this trip on the Travelogue, click here: Istanbul 2018