Ayasofya

November 5, 2011

We went to Istanbul and visited the Ayasofya.  I want to write about the incredible history of this sight.   Ayasofya; Greek word- Hagia Sophia, English- St Sophia "Church of the Holy Wisdom".  This enormous sight is very historical, so we had to check it out.  The following information is I what I learned about the sight from the books and displays available;

Ayasofya was originally a Christian Church to symbolize "Byzantium".  Byzantium was actually a Greek colony that formed the Greek city; Byzantion, in what later became Constantinople and then eventually Istanbul. 

The church was the largest Christian Church in the word, until the 16th century.  This church was built over two prior churches and was designed to be glorious and majestic.  It was built as a monument to
God.  Justinian built the church in five years, in 537 A.D.

In 1453, Mehmet penetrated the city and declared the church a Mosque.  For the next several years the mosaics and frescoes were covered in order to comply with the Islamic religion.  In 1935 Ataturk converted the mosque into a museum and the restoration of the church/mosque began.  Mosaics and other icons were rediscovered and restored.

AND that is all that I know....  Here are some photos showing how awesome it was;

Overall View of Ayasofya- obtained from Internet

The mosaic display above the entrance

A mosaic display above the "Imperial Gate" entrance into the inner narthex.  It is written that this Mosaic is a representation of "Christ" holding a book with the inscription "Peace be with you.  I am the Light of the Word."  He is surrounded by a portrait of Virgin Mary, the Angel Gabriel, and an emperor believed to be "Leo VI asking for forgiveness for his four marriages"  (Information obtained from books and displays).

Imperial gate into the church

Overall view of the enormous church from ground level

Overall view of church from the upper level

Another mosaic display  

It is written that this display is of; "Christ" with the Empress Zoe and the Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos.  The two monarchs are giving an offering.  The inscription above their heads reads "Constantine in Christ the God, Autocrat, faithful King of the Romans, Monomakos."  The inscription on the scroll reads "Constantine in Christ the God, faithful King of the Romans, Monomakos" (Again, information obtained by books and displays).

There were so many more Mosaic displays and architectural history that I could write about, but I am not about to write a novel.  Overall, this historic sight was amazing.  The kids were impressed with the large doors, columns, and the age of the church.  We were very glad that we waited 45 minutes in line in order to visit this sight.  

Basilica Cistern

We read books and looked at information in shops in order to decide what sights to see in Istanbul.  When Sam saw the brochure on this sight, he immediately wanted to go.

The Basilica Cistern was built some time around 542 AD by Justinian I as a water source for the palace.  Water was brought into the Cistern from the forests north of Istanbul.  There are 336 marble Columns that are 30 feet high.  The walls of the cistern are about 16 feet thick and are made from baked clay bricks, which were then covered by waterproof plaster.  The full capacity of the Cistern was approximately 100 thousand tons.

Reed was in awe with how they were able to construct the columns and walls with no electricity and the lack of lighting.  The Cistern is underground and the construction of it must have been very difficult.  His engineering mind was running in overdrive while he walked around taking it all in.

The kids, reading lots of "Percy Jackson" books with Greek mythology, were intrigued by two Medusa heads that were used for bases on two separate columns.  The heads were in a corner of the cistern.  It is said that the Medusa heads were a way to avert evil.  BUT the people who place the heads in the Cistern must have been Christians, because they placed the heads (one upside down and one sideways) so that they were not revered as an image.

The Cistern -Picture obtained from the Internet

One Medusa Head

Sam posing by the other Medusa head

Notice how dark it is

As you can see, there is water still in the Cistern.  They are unsure how or what water source is still feeding into the Cistern, but the level never goes down.  Once in a while the water needs to be pumped out.   Needless to say, this was Sam's favorite sight!

Instanbul

Originally known as the Byzantium (Byzantion), which was first established by Greek colonists (667 BC).  The city was later renamed Constantinople.  Then in 1453 the Ottoman Turks took over the city.  In 1930 the Turks changed the name of the city to Istanbul.


We had a great time in Istanbul. We visited many sights;  Topkapi Palace, Ayasofya-Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, bazaars, and old town.


Ayasofya- Hagia Sophia which is the oldest church. Topkapi Palace, a castle with many things on display; Moses' staff that parted the sea , David's (David and Goliath) sword when he was king, John's hand and skull (the guy who wrote revelations), jewels, furniture and such.  The Blue Mosque which was built as a way to rival the Ayasofya.  Finally, the Basilica Roman Cistern which was an underground water system.  All sights were incredible.  To think...the age of the buildings, the artifacts and architectural works was just impressive.  We were in awe.


The Bazaar was closed, but we went to the smaller bazaars around the area, took a tour on the Bosphorus river, and checked out the shopping at Taksim Square.  Lots of walking and seeing.  Nate broke his big toe playing dodge ball at school the day before we left for Istanbul.  So, he was walking on crutches the whole time.  Nate got around pretty well, in spite of the crutches.


A surprise happened on our trip.  It turned out that they were filming the movie Argo in Istanbul, when we were there.  It is about the Iran hostage crisis in the 70's.  I guess Istanbul, with all the mosques is a similar setting to Iran.  Anyway, the entire cast and crew were staying at our hotel.  Ben Affleck is directing and starring in the film, so we saw him walk through the lobby a couple of times, along with Tate Donovan.  We didn't bother them, but talked with many of the other cast and crew members during our visit.  It was pretty neat and the kids got a kick out it; being Hollywood and all.

The boys in our hotel room

Taksim Square-  very crowded

The boys posing near where the film was being shot.  In the background you can see a person bringing in more filming equipment.  Hollywood was filming in the closed grand bazaar behind us that day!

Hollywood's tents for wardrobe, food, extras, actors, and equipment

The McPeaks on the Bosphorus

With all there was to see and do in Istanbul, we could have stayed a week.  But we did not.  We were there for only a few days to get a taste of the city and see the sights.  We had a great time.

Kaufor

Well, I stepped out of my comfort zone again.  A kaufor (hair salon) visit for the boys.  How hard can that be...right?  It can be very hard when no one speaks any English.  The conversation of broken English to their fluent Turkish, that I don't understand, takes a long time to find a small common ground of conversational understanding.

The boys were having school pictures and I wanted them to look nice for the photos.  I decided to take the boys to a Kaufor by myself with no interpreter. And of course- no one spoke English.  BUT I was determined to get them nice haircuts.  I figured that since I knew a few Turkish words from school I could try to explain the boys' hair and how to cut it, but I was wrong.  There was so much conversation with no understanding, so I had to be more creative.

I found a hair style book.  I looked through the book and found a picture to show the barber how to cut their hair.  With my broken few Turkish words, the photos and my charades, the Kaufor finally understood me.  I felt the boys would have a good haircut, it would not be too short and that we would walk out of there happy...... so off the boys went for their haircut. 

Kaufors in Turkey treat the customers like royalty.  People get their haircut, washed and styled while being served snacks and drinks.  At times there are two or more people servicing the customer's needs.  The boys were in heaven.  They had shortbread cookies, pop, and a lot of attention.  They were digging this experience. 

Connor showing how cool he looks with Sam showing his big muscles

Our handsome dudes!

In the end, the boys were very happy.  Connor told me that it was his best haircut, but I just think he liked the attention and treats!  As you can see from the photos above they were happy with the results.  Yes, another success in daily life activities in Turkey!!