Hagia Sophia Mosaics & Ottoman Calligraphy – Inside Look

Explore how surfaces narrate transformations — from Christian iconography to Ottoman script and medallions.

12/8/2025

12 min read

Surfaces speak. Hagia Sophia’s walls record transitions in faith and empire.

Byzantine Mosaics

Gold backgrounds, saints, imperial panels.
Conservation reveals fragments; some areas remain covered.

Look along upper galleries for subtle glitter — that’s gold tesserae catching ambient light.

Surface dialogue of mosaic and calligraphy Calligraphy medallion silhouette

我制作此指南，愿你以平和、背景与关怀走近圣索菲亚——让伟大思想、静默祈祷与明亮石材清晰发声。