The Other Spot

Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey offers an intoxicating display of concentrated flavors and odors in mosques, traditional eastern neighborhoods, gardens, and above all, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn dawn They say that the Bosporus is one of the most beautiful and captivating the world: in the Straits reflected the first rays of sun as background, from the mosques Arabs out of taking the first cantos good morning to all who pass through there. And in a few minutes passed in complete peace and quiet, in the sense of inner peace to the bustle of this great city that is Istanbul.

If there is a landmark building in this city is, without doubt, Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine-style sanctuary, now a mosque, church, pray, pray museum. Hagia Sophia is the most sacred and impressive work of this style of construction. This great masterpiece of the Byzantine era was built in the year 537 as a Church. For nearly 900 years it was, until the conquest of Turkey became a mosque for another 481 years, until 1935, Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, reformed making it what it is today: a museum.

This colossal building stands on a huge green lawn, but its beauty lies in its interior, where the calm we breathe we can enjoy its square plan covered with a large central dome 56 meters in height and two half-domes. Aya Sofia is a milestone in the history of architecture, because it was the first building that has been done with a square base, besides being the fourth largest covered area in the world after St. Paul’s in London, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Duomo of Milan. Inside are worth admiring the mosaics made from colored glass or transparent sheets of gold, with those once, in the Byzantine period were represented biblical scenes.

The soil completely covered with oriental rugs in different shapes and colors, impressive columns supporting the dome, the carvings on the walls and the air we breathe, give it that touch almost mystical Aya Sofia makes the Temple of Wisdom Divine “. And is that Aya Sofia (Santa Sofia) is one of three titles devoted to God: Aya Sofia (Divine Wisdom), Aya Irene (stillness, peace) and Aya Dinamis (sacred power).

It was the Emperor Constantine in 360, who ordered to build a large church in the same places today where St. Sophia: the Eklesia Megale. But it suffered a fire that ignited in the year 404. In its place, Rufinos built another that opened in the year 416 under the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius. However, during the Nika insurrection in the year 532, the opponents of the imperial system, this new temple was also destroyed. Just 5 years later and by the Emperor Justinian, was inaugurated today is Hagia Sophia.

It was the emperor, in 360, who ordered to build a large church in the same places today where St. Sophia: the Eklesia Megale. But it suffered a fire that ignited in the year 404. In its place, Rufinos built another that opened in the year 416 under the orders of the Byzantine emperor. However, during the Nika insurrection in the year 532, the opponents of the imperial system, this new temple was also destroyed. Just 5 years later and by the Emperor, was inaugurated today is.