Step by step - see how the most famous Byzantine mosaic of Christ was created.

1900 Hagia Sophia in 1900: 1901 The German Fountain and Hagia Sophia in 1901: 1902 Hagia Sophia main dome and its surroundings, 1902: 1903 General View, Hagia Sophia, 1903: Interior of Hagia Sophia in 1903: 'The inside of Hagia Sophia', 1903 (Source: Brooklyn Museum): 1904 Interior of Hagia Sophia in 1904 (Dome, Columns, Narthexes and Upper Gallery): 'Constantinople Bosphore Turquie' - Photographer: H.B. Tate, date 1904: 1905 'Istanbul, Hagia Sophia' (1905): 1906 General view, Hagia Sophia…

Here's a collection of doors in Hagia Sophia - some stories about their history - and some mystery images.

Located near the Empress Lodge in Hagia Sophia, the door of Heaven and Hell (Marble Door) is a door made of marble. The door used to separate the west and south galleries.There are depictions of fruit & fish. The room was used by the priests for their religious meetings. It is said that the room also housed the Synod Council in 1166 and the decisions taken by them were displayed on marble tablets on the walls of outer narthex. (See also Synod Tablets)

A collection of beautiful 12th century Byzantine mosaics from Daphni Monastery

In the Priest Room, there are depictions of Christ and Mary which date back to the 6th century. There are also the relics of the depictions of the apostles of Christ. Unfortunately the Priest Room isn’t open for visitors.

Here's a collection of doors in Hagia Sophia - some stories about their history - and some mystery images.

Situated at the south endpoint, this mosaic panel dates back to the 13th century. This mosaic is similar to Zoe Panel which also depicts the ‘’imperial offering to Mary and Christ’’ Mary the Virgin is depicted smaller than the Emperor and Empress. Christ the Child is seated on her lap making benediction with his right hand and holding a roll on his left hand. Mary is accompanied by the monograms of ‘’Mother of God’’ MP OV. They are depicted in a humanistic style. Christ has a cruciform…

On the North side of the great eastern arch there are remains of standing Virgin and Child dating to 1354. Below her, the traces of a Mosaic of John V and his wife Helena Kantakouzene. This mosaic was discovered in 1989, but has not been completely uncovered.

Omphalion, which literally means ‘’little omphalos’’ (navel of earth), is an opus sectile panel in Hagia Sophia.

1900 Hagia Sophia in 1900: 1901 The German Fountain and Hagia Sophia in 1901: 1902 Hagia Sophia main dome and its surroundings, 1902: 1903 General View, Hagia Sophia, 1903: Interior of Hagia Sophia in 1903: 'The inside of Hagia Sophia', 1903 (Source: Brooklyn Museum): 1904 Interior of Hagia Sophia in 1904 (Dome, Columns, Narthexes and Upper Gallery): 'Constantinople Bosphore Turquie' - Photographer: H.B. Tate, date 1904: 1905 'Istanbul, Hagia Sophia' (1905): 1906 General view, Hagia Sophia…