Travel back to Constantinople
Many tourists visit Istanbul every year. Everyone would captures different elements of this city.
It is vast as well as "deep". Layer upon layer... it has millefeuilles of cultures and civilizations.
As a jewellery designer myself, I have always been drawn to decorative elements, especially, Byzantine- medieval style... (please visit my jewellery lens squidoo.com/kotomi-jewelry)
My trip to Istanbul (March 2008) was a pilgrimage to the Byzantine aesthetics...
Haghia Sophia
Ayasofya
This is the first place to visit in the hunt for Byzantine Istanbul.
It is famous, and of course, there are so many reasons to be so famous. Grand scale of architecture, fantastic mosaics, over 1400 years old ...
I shall leave all detailed/ historical information to the links...
wikipedia-Haghia Sophia
www.virtualistanbul.com/HaghiaSophia
www.hitit.co.uk/Istanbul/ayasofya
I was most impressed by its elaborate density --- mosaics are framed by stone carved friezes which were originally richly coloured, and surrounded by fresco paintings... in addition, marble pillars in dark deep colours...
All of these elements contribute to a symphony of heavy condensed tones ...
My photos from Flickr
Haghia Sophia
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Haghia Sophia
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More greate photos from Flickr
Haghia Sophia, eretta nel 537 d.C. %uFFFDno dei pi%uFFFDndi edifici del mondo.
Sultanahmet Istanbul Turkey
If I remember correctly, Haghia Sophia was a basilica built under Justinian duri...
Greatest building of the Greek tradition in Istanbul, Haghia Sophia sums up the ...
If I remember correctly, Haghia Sophia was a basilica built under Justinian duri...
The apse of the Aya Sofya with a mosaic of Mary with the Christ child on her kne...
Over the Imperial Gate, which was used only by the emperor and his entourage, is...
Mosaic in Haghia Sophia - on which my embroidery project is based.
Istanbul: Byzantine mosaics in the Haghia Sophia
Detail of a Mosaic of the Byzantine Empress Zoe, one of the few women to rule th...
The mosaics of one of the small tunnel vaults remind me strongly of Turkish carp...
Haghia Sophia --- reference books on Amazon
The Mosaics of Haghia Sophia at Istanbul, Fourth Preliminary Report Work Done in 1934-1938, the Deesis Panel of the South Gallery
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
The Deesis Panel of the South Gallery (Mosaics of Haghia Sophia at Istanbul)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Haghia Sophia, Kariye Museum
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Chora--- Church of St. Saviour in Chora
Kariye Camii
Away from heavily tourlismized central Istanbul, this church -- later mosque, now museum -- stands in North Istanbul, in a downtown residential area. From the outside, a charming little domed church, but once we step into it... it is an entirely different world... This 11th c church redecorated in the 14th c is a much smaller version of Haghia Sophia. yet smaller means higher density... Again mosaics, stone friezes and fresco paintings glorifying over 50 well preserved biblical scenes. It is nearly impossible to capture all of them in one's camera. A real gem. I found this church most moving...
More information can be found in -
wikipedia- Chora Church
sacred-destinations.com
My photos from Flickr.
Chora---Church of St. Saviour in Chora
More greate photos from Flickr
The church exterior dates to the 11th century and the interior to the 14th centu...
The original church was built in the 4th century as part of a monastery complex ...
General view of the dome.
The roof of the Esonarthex tells the story of MaryThe present church dates...
The Resurrection, or the Harrowing of Hell, showing Jesus dragging Adam and Eve ...
The church exterior dates to the 11th century and the interior to the 14th centu...
in the Chora Church, Istanbul.
The church exterior dates to the 11th century and the interior to the 14th centu...
Mary and child, detail of one of the domes of the Chora ChurchThe present chur...
Gold inlaid mosaic of St Peter lit by the sun coming in through the windows of t...
Beatifully detailed mosaic of St Paul, lit by the afternoon sunThe present...
Chora Church...
A byzantine mosaic at the Kariye Museum (Church of the Holy Savior in Chora).
Chora--- reference books on Amazon
Saint Saviour in Chora
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Kariye: The Chora Church, Step by Step
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Kariye Mosque Church of Chora Monastery
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Church of the Pammakaristos
Fethiye Camii
This great 14th c Byzantine renaissance church is again small and charming. Inside there are fewer mosaics are left than at Chora. But still, the quality of the remaining mosaics is breathtaking... Christ Pantocrator ( all powerful ) and the prophets mosaic in the main dome is in perfect condition, and makes an impressive contrast with the exposed brick walls surrounding it.
More information can be found in-
wikipedia-Pammakaristos_Church
sacred-destinations.com
My photos from Flickr
SS Sergius and Bacchus' Church
Kucuk Ayasofya Camii
Known as "Little Haghia Sophia", this 6th c church is older than the great " Haghia Sophia", and was also founded by Emperor Justinian and his empress Theodora. This continues to function as a mosque and is beautifully maintained, but alas, no original mosaics or frescoes remain.
However, the green marble columns are still here, and stone carved friezes also remain. And we can still see remnants of the original green and red colouring on the friezes....
More photos from Flickr
The name of the recently restored church (Little Haghia Sophia, K%uFFFDyasofya...
The name of the recently restored church (Little Haghia Sophia, K%uFFFDyasofya...
The name of the recently restored church (Little Haghia Sophia, K%uFFFDyasofya...
Church of Constatine Lips
Fenari Camii
This 10th c monastic church is still a functioning as a local mosque. It is only open at the times of prayer. Luckily we met the caretaker and he kindly opened the door for us. Inside, the just few remaining stone carvings show its ancient origin. The main focal point of this church is the building's exceptionally imaginative exterior walls. Decorative brickwork friezes surround the mosque which continue to display it's splendid charm.
My photo from Flickr
Flickr Photos on Byzantine themes
Links to more information about Byzantine...
Wikipedia Byzantine Empire
Wikipedia Byzantine art
Wikipedia Byzantine architecture
artcyclopedia Byzantine art
iconastas.co.uk
artlex.com
Harbin Architecture & Art Museum-Byzantine style.
This is found inside a church carved into a rock in central Turkey.
San Vitale. Ravenna, Italy.
in the Capella Palatina, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily, situate...
Cross shaped vault ceiling of the cupola in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenn...
Cross shaped vault ceiling of the cupola in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravann...
Byzantine mosaic
Portable Mosaic Icon with Saint John ChrysostomMiniature mosaic set in wax on w...
Photographed at the Metropol...
Photographed at the Metropol...
Tricolor BowlTerracotta with yellow-brown and green glaze over slip, decorated ...
Photographed at the Metropol...
Terracotta Ampulla (Flask) of Saint MenasByzantineMade late 500s- mid 700s, pr...
Marble UrnCarved about 400 ADAccession # 52.88An openwork grapevine decorat...
Ivory Casket with the Deesis, Archangels, and the Twelve ApostlesByzantineCarv...
Photographed at the Metropol...
Byzantine Copper alloy Made 500-700 A.D.
Photographed at the Metropol...
British Museum
Zakynthos Museum of Byzantine Art
Six Silver Plates with Scenes from the Early Life of DavidCast, hammered, engra...
Silver EwerByzantineMade 300-500 ADAccession # 47.100.38Household items su...
I saw this piece in the Vatican Museums and knew sister Suzy would get the secre...
The "Antioch Chalice," first half of 6th centuryByzantine; Ma...
Photographed at the Metropol...
Photographed at the Metropol...
...as exhibited in the museum of byzantine culture, Thessaloniki
Gilded silver on wood backing with Byzantine ivory figures Inset with glass and...
Box Reliquary of the True CrossGilded silver, gold, and enamel worked in cloiso...
Photographed at the Metropol...
AD600 Byzantine pendant, Egypt
AD600 Byzantine earring, Egypt
6-7c Byzantine pendant.
6-7c Byzantine earrings, Cypus
British Museum
British Museum
Photographed at the Metropol...
Mid 7c Gold and Garnet necklace with cross in Byzantine style, Anglo-Saxon.
Gold Cross PendantByzantineMade 500-700Accession # 2006.569A wealthy priva...
10-11c rings
In Archaeological Museum Istanbul
In Archaeological Museum Istanbul
In Archaeological Museum Istanbul
In Archaeological Museum Istanbul
Books of reference on Byzantine culture in Amazon
The Gospel of Judas
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 07/25/2008)
Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity
Amazon Price: $23.76 (as of 07/25/2008)
Holy Image, Hallowed Ground (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum)
Amazon Price: $31.50 (as of 07/25/2008)
A Reporter's Life
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 07/25/2008)
Byzantine Art (Oxford History of Art)
Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 07/25/2008)
Reader Feedback
Do you like this lens? Have you any comments to make !?
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Kotomi
Thank you for your comment, EditionH !! Posted July 19, 2008 |
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EditionH
Hi, I am impressed by this great lens ! Posted July 18, 2008 |
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Kotomi
Thank you very much for your kind comment, Icon-Lover. Actually you are the one of present creator of the Byzantine spirit! I was so impressed to visit at How to paint an icon Posted April 12, 2008 |
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Icon-Lover
This is a fantastic lens! You have done a real service by having all this information and spiritual beauty available. Posted April 12, 2008 |
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Kotomi
Thank you very much for your kind comment, LanaS. Posted April 11, 2008 |
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LanaS
This is an impressive site, with amazing photographs. I hope that one day you'll publish a beautifully illustrated book on Byzantine art in Constantinople. Posted April 11, 2008 |
