Mosaics & Art
Within the walls of Hagia Sophia lie some of the world's most precious artistic treasures: Byzantine gold mosaics depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, and emperors, alongside magnificent Ottoman calligraphy proclaiming the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
Gold Mosaics
Created with millions of tiny glass tesserae backed with gold leaf, these mosaics represent the pinnacle of Byzantine artistic achievement.
Islamic Calligraphy
The eight enormous calligraphic medallions suspended from the nave are among the largest examples of Islamic calligraphy in the world. Created by the master calligrapher Kazasker Mustafa Ä°zzet Efendi in the 19th century, each medallion measures 7.5 meters in diameter.
These medallions bear the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, the first four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali), and the Prophet's grandsons Hasan and Husayn—figures revered by all Muslims.