Day 2 at Istanbul - the beautiful Aya Sofya

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We were so disappointed to miss seeing Aya Sofya last year that we were determined not to miss it this time. After yet another delicious breakfast, we headed off to be there for opening. Just a five minute walk, we arrived about 8:45 am and a queue was already forming. By the time it opened at 9am there were many more behind us! In we went, and it was great to be inside this huge space with (relatively) few people. What an absolute marvel of a building! It is spectacularly beautiful, as well as an engineering marvel, and SO OLD! We took masses of photos and videos - am fınally postıng some for you to see. As well as the building, there are many frescoes and mosaics, especially in the upstairs gallery.

Having spent about an hour and a half we finally emerged, paid a quick visit to the adjacent mausoleums with various sultans' families sarcophagi and amazing Iznik tiles on the walls.

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Photos

Weeping column
Legend has it that if you rotate your thumb in this hole and it comes out wet you'll have good luck!