Little Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Absolutely gorgeous basilica that, like the much more well know basilica of the same name, was turned into a mosque. The tile work is breath taking. Each of the marble columns has different carving of filigree at the top. Sadly, any angelic faces in the filigree were destroyed. Interestingly, the base of what must have been the baptismal found remains on a low stepped platform to one side of what was the main nave. By the way, headscarves are required for women to enter, but are available for borrowing at the entrance. Men must take off hats/caps. Everyone must remove shoes.

My wife and I express our deep gratitude to a worker named Mehmet, who told us the story and revealed to us the secrets of this place, showed us the beauty and grandeur of this temple, a mosque! God bless this kind person who is in this holy place every day and gives oral history to parishioners or tourists, which we can pass on to others! We have been to many temples of different religions, but this is one of those places that can be included in the TOP. crossing the threshold, you find yourself behind the thickness of these walls that cut you off from the world and begin to feel something that cannot be conveyed in words. peace to all!