Hagia Sophia

Among the seven hills of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia shines with its flaming luminance as a beacon for believers, historians, architects, and anyone with an eye for beauty. For all the skill it harbors from head to toe, it is perhaps the many faces that make it so alluring to the world. Dating back to 537, it has served as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital. Under the Ottoman rule, it became a mosque and underwent remarkable renovations. Finally, after boasting years of pride as a museum, it is today a mosque once again. Contrary to its status, its dignity and measureless value never changed.

Every inch of the structure brims with a masterful design and breathtaking symmetry. Polychrome marble panels, antique column capitals, and jaw-dropping domes are only a few of the architectural marvels it features. On the outside, the structure is unmistakable with its great dome. Four minarets exalt their characteristic symmetry on all sides.

The amalgam of religious architecture becomes more spectacular inside. Mosaics and delicate murals of holy figures embellish the walls. Looking up once you set foot in its main hall, you will see enormous oval discs Small eruptions of sophistication abound at its heart.