Ayasofya

This huge, brick-colored building standing at the southern size of the square was built in the 6th century. It was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans after the Conquest and is now a museum.

Ever since it was originally constructed in the 6th century, Ayasofya has astounded visitors with the grandeur of its proportions.

In its heyday, the church was regarded as a sublime architectural achievement. The building stands on the site of two previous churches, one that had been destroyed by earthquake and fire, The third and present structure was built at the orders of Emperor Justinian I by Anthemius, a mathematician, and Isidore, an architect, geometrician, and city planner. The two collaborators obeyed the emperor's orders splendidly producing a building that inspired awe and wonder. At its dedication in 537, Justinian is said to have murmered in amazement and pride "Soloman, I have surpassed thee"-a reference to the great temple that Soloman had built in Jerusalem. In the nearly millennium and a half since its construction, only three churches have been built on scale of Haghia Sophia: St Pauls in London, St Peter's in Rome, and the Duomo in Milan. Even today, Ayasofya has the power to spellbind even the most hardened skyscraper-blase city-dweller with its grand dimensions.

Sultanahmet Camii

To Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617) fell the honor of constructing a mosque on the plaza that could rival and reflect the magnificence of Ayasofya. This structure is frequently referred to as the "Blue Mosque" because of the extraordinary tiles decorations.

Hundreds of windows in the domes bathe the interior of the mosque with an enchanting luminescence.

These tiles, whose blue tones imbue the interior with an ethereal atmosphere, were produced in Iznik when the industry there had achieved full maturity. The Sultanahmet mosque is also unusual for its six minarets and it is the only mosque in Istanbul with so many. (In Ottoman times, only sultans and the members of their immediate families were allowed to build mosques with multiple minarets.) The building is the work of the architect Ahmet Aga, who adhered to the mosque-building traditions established by the great Sinan. Construction began in 1609 and was completed in 1616. The practice of stringing up lights between the minarets of mosques spelling out messages during the Ramazan month of fasting was begun by Ahmed I and has since become a custom.

Also:

• Ayasofya & Sultanahmet Cami
• Topkapi Sarayi & Hippodrome