Turkey

SEZAHDE MOSQUE

Sehzade Mosque is one of the most notable mosques of Sinan, attributed to be the first major large scale work after he had been appointed as the "chief architect".

HAGIA SOPHIAHagia Sophia is the supreme masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Its spacious nave is covered by a lofty central dome carried on pendentives, a device not previously employed in monumentalconstruction. It served as model for several of the great Turkish mosques of Constantinople.
The records list a total of 600 persons assigned to serve in Hagia Sophia: 80 priests, 150 deacons, 40deaconesses, 60 subdeacons, 160 readers, 25 chanters, 75 doorkeepers.
Although there are no artifacts confirming it, it is said that Hagia Sophia was built on the site of an ancient pagan temple. HagiaSophia underwent two phases of construction before attaining its present state.
Documents indicate that the first Hagia Sophia was built by Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantinos I, and wasopened for services in 360 AD. Although very little is known about this church, it is assumed that it was a basilica-type structure with a rectangular floor plan, circular apse and timbered roof. It wassimilar to St.Studios, a basilica in Istanbul, the ruins of which still exist. Ancient sources emphasize that the eastern wall was circular.


ÉFESO

The ruins of Ephesus, situated near Selçuktown at 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Izmir[->0], is a main center of archaeological interest owing to the ancient remains that still exist. When you enter through the Magnesia Gate (south gate orupper gate), you can see the State Agora (or Upper Agora). The Temple of Isis is situated at the center of the Agora, and Stoa is placed on the North side of it. The Odeion (Bouletarion orParliament[->1]) with a capacity of 1,400 persons is placed behind it and the Prytaneion (Town Hall) where the sacred fire used to burn, is on its flank. The Baths of Varius are placed on the east side of...