The second day we spent seeing the sites of Istanbul. We started at the Blue Mosque, famous for its architecture and "tiled ceiling" with blue hue. As this was a practicing Mosque, we were required to remove our shoes to enter. This is the entrance to the Mosque. It really is that low. Here are stained glass windows inside. They were simply beautiful. This is one of the ceiling domes. the work was intricate and beautiful. Then we went to Hagia Sofia (aka Santa Sofia). This was originally built as a church, then became a mosque, now it is a museum. The interior has n interesting combination of Christianity and Islam. One interesting fact is that instead of taking the hundreds of year that European cathedrals do it was built in only 5 years. The Christians originally decorated it with tiles mosaics. This was at the entrance. After becoming a Mosque the tiled frescoes were covered over which actually preserved them until the building became a museum and they were once again uncovered. You can see the difference in the next two pictures. They are of angels that were at the four corners of the dome ceiling. In the top of the dome ceiling you can see the beautiful calligraphy work. This is a tiled fresco done in the 12th century of Mary, Jesus and John the Baptist. The three pictures following are close ups of the faces. This next fresco is the Madonna and Child, also of the 12th century. In this picture you can get a idea of the intricate work done to create these works of art.
As this was a practicing Mosque, we were required to remove our shoes to enter. This is the entrance to the Mosque. It really is that low.
Here are stained glass windows inside. They were simply beautiful.
This is one of the ceiling domes. the work was intricate and beautiful.
Then we went to Hagia Sofia (aka Santa Sofia). This was originally built as a church, then became a mosque, now it is a museum. The interior has n interesting combination of Christianity and Islam. One interesting fact is that instead of taking the hundreds of year that European cathedrals do it was built in only 5 years.
The Christians originally decorated it with tiles mosaics. This was at the entrance.
After becoming a Mosque the tiled frescoes were covered over which actually preserved them until the building became a museum and they were once again uncovered. You can see the difference in the next two pictures. They are of angels that were at the four corners of the dome ceiling. 
In the top of the dome ceiling you can see the beautiful calligraphy work.
This is a tiled fresco done in the 12th century of Mary, Jesus and John the Baptist. The three pictures following are close ups of the faces.
This next fresco is the Madonna and Child, also of the 12th century.
In this picture you can get a idea of the intricate work done to create these works of art.
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