Golden Mosaic Roof at the Hagia Sophia
Like any other major tourist attraction, the Hagia Sophia Mosque also has a long line outside it. Although it was blazing hot outside, the queue was near some trees so it wasn’t as bad as I feared. The line was also moving quickly so we didn’t have to wait long. Much like the nearby Sultan Ahmed Mosque or any other mosque of that matter, visitors will need to remove their footwear before entering the mosque. Ladies would have to at least cover up their head with a provided hijab if they don’t have one. Like most mosques here, the mosque is carpeted so you don’t have to walk on a cold marble floor. It is also good that they require visitors to remove their footwear else it might damage the carpet.
Hallway at Hagia Sophia
Visitors will be greeted by a long hallway. This is also where all the footwear will be kept should you choose to. The hallway is a reminder of the Hagia Sophia’s Christian origins. If you have seen Eastern Orthodox churches, the interior is usually richly decorated with mosaics and the use of gold is common. This is the same with this hallway. The roof in particular is impressive with the gold color. I can’t tell if the designs here are the original or have the been painted over. I understand why any previous religious imagery would have been removed since this isn’t allowed in the Muslim faith. From where I stand, I can’t tell if the designs I’m seeing is Islamic, since they don’t look like the typical designs I would see elsewhere.
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