Mystery under famous mosque [ Hagia Sophia basilica, in the former Constantinople ]

Turkish Daily News ^ | Thursday, September 4, 2008 | Vercihan Ziflioglu

[a_Turk]

Very disappointing.

[forkinsocket]

Turkey has beautiful architecture.

Ahrida synagogue:

"Italian synagogue" (in Istanbul):

Suleymaniye mosque:

[SunkenCiv]

I am a fan of the Detroit Lions, and often refer to them as stupid bastards. For example, in the first half of their season opener last night.

[colorado tanker]

The Venetians carted off a bunch of loot, but it was the Turks who removed the bells, altar, iconostasis and sacrificial vessels and plastered over many of the mosaics.

[L.M.H.]

Not disagreeing with you, but I think looting may be too light a term for what the Venetians did to Hagia Sophia... They smashed the silver iconostasis, the icons and the holy books of Hagia Sophia. Many relics from the church, such as a stone from the tomb of Jesus, bones of several saints, etc. were stolen. There’s even stories of the Crusaders seating a prostitute on the Patriarchal throne. Luckily the renovators have been removing the plaster to reveal the ancient mosaics underneath, but they’ll never get back the stolen and destroyed items. It is still awe-inspiring inside though... hope you’ll be able to see it one day.