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Dick Osseman | profile | all galleries >> Istanbul >> Mosques - Camiler >> Non-Sinan >> Hagia Sophia aka Ayasofya >> Vestibule of the Warriors tree view | thumbnails | slideshow | map

NW courtyard | Mosaics in the Hagia Sophia | Elements of former churches on this spot | Hagia Sophia first floor | Outside the Hagia Sophia | Vestibule of the Warriors | Outer and inner narthex | Apse part of Hagia Sophia | Imperial gate | Ceiling with dome and half-domes | Marble jar | Library - kütüp hanesi | Capitals | Revetment | Miraculous column | Baptistry

Vestibule of the Warriors

This is a narrow passage that in Byzantine times was called the Vestibule of the Warriors. According to a Book of Ceremonies, a manual of Byzantine court-ritual, the Emperor removed his sword and crown before entering the narthex, his bodyguards would wait here until he returned. The great mosaic above the entrance is often overlooked by visitors, as it now functions as exit. The other mosaics to a large extent also are from the Justinian church.

There also is a wonderful door, taken from a Hellenistic temple, so older than the building itself.
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0902.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0902.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0901.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0901.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya present entrance
Istanbul Aya Sofya present entrance
Istanbul Aya Sofya present entrance
Istanbul Aya Sofya present entrance
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0895.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0895.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0896.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0896.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0897.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0897.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya door
Istanbul Aya Sofya door
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0899.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia june 2009 0899.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya door
Istanbul Aya Sofya door
Istanbul Hagia Sophia march 2017 2294.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia march 2017 2294.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9174.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9174.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9175.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9175.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9176.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9176.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9177.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9177.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9178.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9178.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9179.jpg
Istanbul Aya Sofya October 2016 9179.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 5998.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 5998.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 5999.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 5999.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 6000.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 6000.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6351.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6351.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6352.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6352.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6353.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6353.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6354.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6354.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6355.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6355.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6356.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6356.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6357.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sophia june 2018 6357.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 5996.jpg
Istanbul Haghia Sophia december 2012 5996.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sofya dec 2016 1399.jpg
Istanbul Hagia Sofya dec 2016 1399.jpg