Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Aya Sofia, Junior

Day 10, (April 9, 2013) of our OAT's Turkey's Sacred lands and Ancient Civilizations Tour. We're in Trabzon and we visit Aya Sofia

There are three Churches of the Holy Wisdom (Aya Sofia, Aya Sofya or Hagia Sophia) in Turkey. One in Istanbul, one in Trabzon and one in...

This is Aya Sofia in Trabzon. It is not on the grand scale as Aya Sofia in Istanbul, but is a must-see.

About Aya Sofia


It was built in Trebzon between 1238 and 1263. After Mehmet II conquered the city in 1461 the church was converted into a mosque and its frescos covered in whitewash. During WWI and for a brief period afterward, the city was occupied by the Rkussian military and used as a makeshift hospital and depot. Afterwards it was put back into use as a mosque, until 1964 when it was turned into a museum - which it remains to this day. 
From 1958 to 1964 the frescoes were uncovered and the church consolidated with the help of experts from Edinburgh University and the Turkish General Directorate of Foundations.
The church is an important example of late Byzantine architecture, characterised by a high central dome and four large column arches supporting the weight of the dome and ceiling.  
The late 13th-century frescos, revealed during the Edinburgh University restoration, illustrate New Testament themes. 

The Church

There is a beautiful view of the black sea from Aya Sofia on clear days... Our day wasn't.

Aya Sofya
Entrance

Central Dome


Pigeons perched on ledges. They were admiring the frescoes too.

Frescos

Marriage at Cana-Jesus turns water into wine




In many churches the faces of saints have been vandalized, perhaps when the churches were converted to mosques

 Other domes



 This beautiful dome is "eye candy".


 Every color in the crayon box.


 Six-winged seraphim


Jesus (I think), a bull, a lion and an eagle holding tablets



 This is not a dome, but a peaked ceiling. The ridge beam runs through the middle.



Armenian and Georgian artifacts


Outside there are other treasures




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