Mosaics at Hagia Sofia, Istanbul - Film Feb - Turkey
I mentioned over the last couple of days that again Sofia had many wonderful mosaics which had been covered up by the Ottomans and revealed again after Ataturk declared the site a museum.
This is one of those mosaics, I was so happy they had only been covered up, in other religious figures were scraped off or as in the more recent case of Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan completely destroyed.
While I was in Belgrade I learned how to paint icons (I may share a few of my icons at a later date). In my travels I enjoy visiting religious buildings of all religions and am fascinated in these things from an academic and aesthetic point of view.
Travel also introduced me to many gastronomic delights (and some appalling experiences). I think the only words I know in some languages are food words. One of the treats I liked in Turkey was Sutlac - I suppose you could call it rice pudding, but sutlac is so much better than any rice pudding I have had in any english speaking countries. I learned numbers in Turkish by ordering sutlac, going into the little cake shops, well 1-2-3 anyway. I would sometimes buy 2 on my way home from work, eating one after my dinner and another for my breakfast. Thinking about my time in Turkey makes me hungry.
Canon 30E 35 mm film SLR (I really must check my negs and edit in what type of film I used)
@alia_801 yep, learnt how to say "İki sütlaç lütfen" - "two sutlac please" and my efforts in speaking Turkish were always rewarded with a smile .... and a delicious snack
I agree the walls are wonderful too, amazing to think these decorations are ancient
Incredible, to think of the time and devotion it took to make that. About how big was it? (in non-turkish measurements please!!) You've captured the light and shine brilliantly.
@filsie65 I'm not really sure of the dimensions, that arch is over a fairly wide doorway - so a number of feet across and high - sorry I cannot be more precise, I will try and find a wider shot
@lbmcshutter Thanks! Please don't go to any trouble.. it occurred to me that it could be a tiny wall sconce or a grand archway over an entrance, I can imagine it and marvel at the scale of the workmanship again :)
I agree the walls are wonderful too, amazing to think these decorations are ancient
Good quality images, you must have a good scanner