Throwback Thursday: Turkey

Posted Turkey
A view of the Blue Mosque from the windows of Hagia Sophia.

A view of the Blue Mosque from the windows of Hagia Sophia.

The inside of Hagia Sophia. In the photo you can see gigantic circular-framed disks or medallions were hung on columns. These were inscribed with the names of Allah, Muhammad, among others.

The inside of Hagia Sophia. In the photo you can see gigantic circular-framed disks or medallions were hung on columns. These were inscribed with the names of Allah, Muhammad, among others.

A view from the inside of Hagia Sophia that gives you a sense of its scale. in fact for almost 1,000 years it was the largest cathedral in the world.

A view from the inside of Hagia Sophia that gives you a sense of its scale. in fact for almost 1,000 years it was the largest cathedral in the world.

Inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque). At its lower levels and at every pier, the interior of the mosque is lined with more than 20,000 handmade İznik style ceramic tiles.

Inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque). At its lower levels and at every pier, the interior of the mosque is lined with more than 20,000 handmade İznik style ceramic tiles.

Inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque). The upper levels of the interior are dominated by blue paint. More than 200 stained glass windows with intricate designs admit natural light, today assisted by chandeliers.

Inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque). The upper levels of the interior are dominated by blue paint. More than 200 stained glass windows with intricate designs admit natural light, today assisted by chandeliers.

Me outside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Today it is still a functional mosque.

Me outside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Today it is still a functional mosque.

The inside of Hagia Sophia. In the photo you can see gigantic circular-framed disks or medallions were hung on columns. These were inscribed with the names of Allah, Muhammad, among others.

The inside of Hagia Sophia. In the photo you can see gigantic circular-framed disks or medallions were hung on columns. These were inscribed with the names of Allah, Muhammad, among others.

Me inside Hagia Sophia. The massive building was a former Christian patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, and now a secular museum.

Me inside Hagia Sophia. The massive building was a former Christian patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, and now a secular museum.

Outside of the Blue Mosque.

Outside of the Blue Mosque.