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Hagia Sophia: Supreme Mosque in Istanbul That You'll Want to Visit at Least Twice
Hagia Sophia, The Holy Wisdom Place
Everyone is galvanizing the Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 7, and maybe I should be joining that bandwagon too. I know, what’s that all about? Well yes, the plot was as excellent as everyone’s expectations (even more!), but I would rather galvanize the impeccable Game of Thrones setting-worthy Hagia Sophia! Any trip to Istanbul will never be complete and satisfying, if Hagia Sophia is excluded in that to-do list - this "Holy Wisdom" place, or also known as the Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia in Latin, actually started as a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica, then later on as an imperial mosque, and now a phenomenal Ayasofya Müzesi museum in Istanbul, Turkey. The history here is so rich, it should be invited (when inspiration hits?) in a future episode of Game of Thrones one way or another.
The agenda for that very first day was a meet and greet with Hagia Sophia. This historical mosque museum is so significant and so substantial that you just want to do a proper meet and greet when you visit Istanbul. And for me, by definition – meet and greet means to spend some time and really savor the significance of this place! Do you have any idea what this place is, by the way? This could easily pass as one of your Top 5 mosques to visit of all time. It’s a great architectural beauty, which is, in fact, a byproduct of the Byzantium and Ottoman Empires. Fun fact: Sophia means Wisdom in Greek Language. When we translate the full name of Hagia Sophia to English it is Shrine of The Holy of God.
Outside, the exteriors seem to be like the Sultanahmet mosque, but once you enter this mind-blowing Hagia Sophia museum, you’ll notice how the interiors are beautiful beyond words. Legend has it that the Hagia Sophia is as important as Vatican, and I must admit, it looks true once you see the details and the history of the place. This mosque of sultans is full of imperial looking domes, mosaics, doors, jars, tombs, and ancient artifacts that make you wonder about this only building in the world that served to three religions in order - Pagan, Christian Orthodox, and Sunni Islam.
Admittedly, it is the Hagia Sophia dome, which sits at the center of the church, which blew me away the most. I mean, how will you not be impressed by this? Even if it’s all dark and old, the shadows from the window panes make it so Game of Thrones worthy. Beautifully decorated with within the centuries during Byzantine period, you’ll see Virgin Mary, Jesus, saints and emperors or empresses meshed with writings and lightings. Each window has a pensive view of the outside that is both grand and historical!
Although, I would have wanted if the renovations were not there to block some of the picture-worthy corners of the Hagia Sophia; yes, it is understandable because Hagia Sophia has been badly damaged by earthquakes, fires and vandalism during the centuries; I wish that there were minimal of these so that travelers and tourists who would want to appreciate the place can enjoy the place more without these obstructions. I think it’s worth highlighting to revisit this again in the future, yes?
Address: Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Ayasofya Meydanı, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Official Website: http://www.hagiasophia.com/
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