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The magnificent Hagia-Sofya - cathedral-mosque-museum!
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The magnificent ceilings in the inner narthex of the Hagia-Sofya
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A view of the ground floor of the Hagia-Sofya giving some idea of its scale.
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The small lit up pavilion was where the Muslim Sultans came for Friday prayers after they changed it into a mosque.
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This giant marble jar and its twin stand in two corners of the Hagia-Sofya. On ceremonial occasions they were filled with sherbet which was distributed to the masses.
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One of the coolest cats ever - crowds and silly photographers did not bother him!
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The patterns in the floor mark the Omphalion - the spot where the Byzantine or Eastern Roman Emperors were crowned.
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Looking down on the ground floor of the Cathedral from the upper gallery.
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A magnificent capital on a pillar in the Hagia-Sofya
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Magnificent 1200 year old mosaic. The Emperor (Byzantine) holds a gift of gold for the church while his Empress holds a certificate of Tax exemption in hers!