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Istanbul, Turkey mosque photos. Pictures of Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), the Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, and Yeni Cami (new mosque). Built in 537, Hagia Sophia was the largest building in the world for over a hundred years. Originally an Eastern Orthodox church, it was converted to a mosque in 1453. Now it's a museum with both Christian and Muslim artwork visible. The Blue Mosque, really named the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I was built in 1616 and features tens of thousands of blue tiles inside and 6 minarets. The Mosque of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent sits on a hilltop in Istanbul. It was built in the 16th century and is a classic example of Ottoman mosque architecture.
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| Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), Istanbul, Turkey |
Early Christian mosaic inside Hagia Sophia |
Carved capitals and arches of Aya Sofya, Istanbul |
Angel mosiac, revealed by removing the plaster once covering the walls when Hagia Sophia was a mosque |
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| One of 4 gilded medallions with Arabic script covering older Christian artwork at Aya Sofya |
Deesis Mosaic (Last Judgement), 14th century mosaic with Christ and John the Baptist |
Christ detail of Deesis Mosaic at Aya Sofya, Istanbul, Turkey |
11th century mosaic of Constantine, Christ, and Empress Zoe at Aya Sofya |
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| Empress Eirene mosaic detail, apse end, southern gallery, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul |
Massive dome of Hagia Sophia measures 31 meters wide and 56 meters high |
10th century mosaic of Emperor Justinian (left) and Constantine the Great (right) offering gifts to Mary |
Exterior of Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), Istanbul, Turkey |
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| Blue Mosque at night with lights during Ramazan |
Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey |
Inside Blue Mosque, Istanbul |
Many stained glass windows allow light to stream into the domed interior |
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| Domes of the Blue Mosque, tens of thousands of blue (and other) tiles provide color |
Blue Mosque silhouette at dusk |
Suleymaniye Mosque at night, Istanbul, Turkey |
Domes of Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey |
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| Stained glass of Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey |
Interior of Sulemaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey |
Islamic inscriptions inside Sulemaniye Mosque |
Tile work inside the tomb of Suleyman |
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| Doorway to the courtyard of Suleymaniye Mosque, with fountain inside |
Exterior side of Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey |
Turkish children at the mosque, Istanbul |
Yeni Cami (new mosque) with Ramazan lights, completed in 1663 |
