Posted on 07/24/2009 10:48:16 AM PDT by iowamark
Experts have uncovered one of the six angel mosaics within the world-famous Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul after it had been hidden for 160 years behind plaster and a metal mask.
The mosaic, which measures 1.5 meters by 1 meter, was last seen by Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati, who headed restoration efforts at the museum between 1847 and 1849, and Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid. Experts were surprised to see that the mosaic, believed to date from the 14th century, was so well preserved.
Hagia Sophia, built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between A.D. 532 and 537, was originally a basilica before it was converted into a mosque when Ottoman Turks conquered the city in 1453. During the conversion process, the Ottomans covered the mosaics with plaster instead of removing them.
The building served as a mosque until 1934, when it was turned into a museum.
The uncovered mosaic is located in the pendentive, an arched triangular section supporting the building’s huge dome. After 10 days of work on the area, experts removed several layers of plaster and the metal mask to uncover the angel.
The mosaic’s true age will be assessed after an analysis by the Hagia Sofia Science Board compares it to similar mosaics. The six-winged figure is though to depict the seraphim, an angel described in the biblical book of Isaiah.
The Turkish conquest in 1453 of Byzantine Istanbul was a tragic and unfortunate turning point in world history. It’s evil consequences resonate through Europe and the world to this day.
Yeah. The Turks are just badly baptized Greeks anyhow.
Looks like America is following a similar path though.
The Hagia Sophia(Church of the Holy Wisdom of God) was the largest Christian church in the world for a thousand years.
The squabbling city states of Italy were as much to blame for failing to assist with reinforcements.
Well the emperor died on the walls defending the city. His body was never found. I wouldn't call them weak-kneed.
The Byzantines held out against the Muslims for 800 years. How long will we last? 80?
Experts have uncovered one of the six angel mosaics within the world-famous Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul after it had been hidden for 160 years behind plaster and a metal mask.
The mosaic, which measures 1.5 meters by 1 meter, was last seen by Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati, who headed restoration efforts at the museum between 1847 and 1849, and Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid. Experts were surprised to see that the mosaic, believed to date from the 14th century, was so well preserved.
Hagia Sophia, built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between A.D. 532 and 537, was originally a basilica before it was converted into a mosque when Ottoman Turks conquered the city in 1453. During the conversion process, the Ottomans covered the mosaics with plaster instead of removing them.
Hagia Sophia / Byzantium ping!
Related threads:
Edifice Complex [Istanbul's Hagia Sophia - "the noblest structure on Earth"]
Defending Byzantium
Hagia Sophia called “a symbol of reconciliation”
FR Keyword: "Byzantium"
FR Keyword: "Hagia Sophia"
Couldn’t see any of our leaders doing anything remotely like that. Most would become Barney Franks instead.
His stand was brave yes...but how many centuries did they fight muslims? 8? 9?
In that period they lost and continued to lose. Syria, Anatolia, Egypt, Libya, Jordan were all lost.
And now it looks like they are about to give up their own ancestrial lands with the most recent riots there as they continue to bow down.
At this rate I’d say even less than that. We already have one for a President no?
I guess you’ll just have to sack up, get off your ass and show them how it is done.
Glory to God for all things!
Those minarets have got to come down!
Your point is what?
That the Byzantine Empire by itself should have been able to withstand all comers? Not only was it hit by the Arabs, but the Persians, the Bulgars, the Seljuk Turks, the Normans, and the Crusaders all attacked it from time to time. The Fourth Crusade even managed to take Constantinople in 1204 with the Franks controlling the God-given city for several generations.
If you want to find a villian, try the Fourth Crusade. I would argue that the Byzantines performed pretty remarkable service by holding out until Tuesday, May 29, 1453.
Amen.
My point is the failed to defend their country. There’s no excuse for the civilization that founded Constantinopolis and owned it for over 2 millenia to allow it to be sacked, pillaged and conquered. The modern equivilant would be the Brits and Frenchies surrenduring London and Paris respectively—which they seem to already have and ironically to the same enemy.
(You also mention Bulgars and Normans—didn’t they serve in the Byzantine Army as mercenaries from time to time?)
In any case Western Europe didn’t care because since these were Orthodox Christians it was of no concern. Had they been Catholic this would never have happened. No hard feelings....reading about this stuff just burns me up.
The architects, Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, can only be called geniuses when you consider that this was built in 5 years, was the largest building in the world for centuries and has survived to this day in spite of being in a major earthquake zone. Granted, the dome had to be rebuilt after earthquakes in the 550s by the nephew of Isidore, Isodorus the Younger, but still, overall an amazing feat.
One of the places that I definitely have in my "bucket list".
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