On the right side of the picture: The monumental gate of the Ayasofya Ímareti (soup kitchen for the poor), which sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754) had built adjacent to the Ayasofya complex (at its northeast corner, to be precise) in 1743. The gate is one of the best examples of 18th century ‘Turkish Barok’ in Istanbul.
In the background: the dome and one of the minarets of the Aya Sofya.
Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: Website of ‘ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr’ .