Hagia Sophia is a famous Church turned Mosque in Istanbul, attracting over 13 million visitors yearly for its breathtaking interiors and dome.
Its walls are decorated with mosaics dating back to the 9th century, showcasing Catholic religious designs and those of the Emperors!
Visitors planning to explore Hagia Mosque must learn about the stunning mosaics, enhancing the space’s beauty.
Read further to discover where you can see the mosaics in the Mosque, their histories, and what each masterpiece looks like!
Where are the mosaics inside Hagia Sophia?
You can see most of the mosaics lined along the walls on the second level of the Mosque.
However, don’t forget to look over the Imperial Door, the Typanium, and the Narthex to see some of the most famous paintings.
You can ensure you won’t miss any mosaics if you participate in a Hagia Sophia Guided Tour!
The Apse’s Virgin Mary and Christ Child
When the Iconoclast issues ended in 843 AD, the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus at the Apse was the first mosaic added to the Church.
It can be seen in the semi-dome over where the altar stood at the eastern end of the Mosque.
It depicts Mother Mary holding baby Jesus on her lap as she sits on a magnificent throne.
She has a handkerchief in her left hand, while her right hand is placed on Jesus’s shoulder.
You can also see a faint inscription on the mosaic, reading, “The images which impostors cast down here pious emperors have again set up.”
Basil I and Michael III added this inscription after the end of the Iconoclast period, during which this mosaic remained carefully hidden.
The Patriarch Photius uncovered the mosaic in 867 AD.
Mosaics in the Typanium of the Dome
After the Apse mosaic was added, many mosaics were added to the north and south walls and the Typanium at the end of the 9th century.
The Typanium is the semi-circular decorative indent made above any door or space that needs to be highlighted.
You will see rows of holy figures lined over all the tympanums depicting the Angels at the top, Fathers at the bottom, and Prophets at the center.
The most famous among these are:
- Ignatius the Younger: Depicting a 50-year-old Ignatius with a white beard and his name at the base.
- St. John Chrysostom: A middle-aged figure of St. Joh from when he was sent into exile by Empress Euidoxia and John Khrysostomos.
- St. Ignatios Theophoros: An Antioch Bishop before he was martyred.
All these three figures hold a Bible in their hands and are wearing the Bishop’s vestment.
Southwest Vestibule Mosaic of Mother Mary
The Southwest Vestibule has a stunning mosaic of Mother Mary and baby Jesus directly painted over the door.
It was added here in the 10th century and is believed to have been painted to celebrate the Russians’ retreat in 971 AD.
The center of the mosaic features a similar depiction of Mary and Christ, as in the Apse’s Virgin Mary and Christ mosaic.
On either side are portraits of Emperor Justinian, offering a sculpture of Hagia Sophia, and Emperor Constantine giving Constantinople to Mother Mary.
Around the picture are monograms with Mother of God written in them.
Justinian is depicted as an older man with facial wrinkles, while Constantine is youthful.
They are both shown wearing a grand sash garment called the Imperial Loros, which is usually covered with rich gems.
The mosaic indicates that Mother Mary and Jesus are protectors of Hagia Sophia and Constantinople.
Mosaic over the Imperial Door- Emperor Leo VI
The central door leading all Emperors from the Narthex to the Nave has a mosaic of Emperor Leo VI over it.
It is a 9th-century masterpiece depicting the Emperor kneeling at the feet of Jesus.
People believe this painting shows the Emperor asking for forgiveness for marrying four times because all his heirs had died.
On either side of Jesus are two circles, showing portraits of Mother Mary and Angel Gabriel.
Mary’s hand is stretched out to Jesus, asking him to forgive the Emperor.
Jesus holds a script that reads, “Peace be upon you. I am the light of the world.”
Scholars remain unsure of the actual portrait in the painting or the correct meaning behind this piece even today.
You can also see a Latin Cross mosaic from the Justinian Period in the Inner Narthex.
The Imperial Mosaics on the Second Level
Two mosaics, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, are on the second level in the south gallery, located directly over the south aisle.
1. Constantine IX and Empress Zoe
The mosaic depicts the figures of Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, who was the Byzantine Emperor and Empress Zoe on either side of Jesus.
The mosaic was painted during the end years of the Macedonian dynasty.
The mosaic previously depicted Romanos III, Zoe’s first husband, whom Emperor Monomachos later replaced as her third husband.
They offer Jesus donations and other documents depicting people’s offerings to the Church to get blessings.
A fun fact about this painting is that even the faces of Zoe and Christ were updated with the new addition of the husband.
2. John II and Irene
Between 1118 and 1134, a new painting of John II and Irene was added, which is the only existing art piece from the 12th-century Constantinople Dynasty.
At the center of the piece is the depiction of Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in her lap, and on either side are John II Komnenos and Irene of Hungary.
They also offer Mother Mary a bag of coins and a rolled-up document.
The mosaics also suggest that the Emperors considered themselves to be on the same level or close to God since they were drawn as the same size.
The incomplete Deesis Mosaic Hagia Sophia
Located in the upper South Gallery, the Deesis mosaic is the only incomplete painting in the Hagia Sophia.
It was painted in the 13th century, showing the scene of the Last Judgement from the Bible.
On either side of Jesus are the portraits of Mother Mary and St. John the Baptist, praying for humanity’s salvation.
It is an attractive piece to all visitors because of its vibrant colors and emotional facial expressions.
The name Deesis translates to an entreaty, symbolizing an act of begging or pleading.
Sultan Abdulmajid’s Tughra
The Tughra, crafted by Italian master N. Lanzoni, is in the outer Narthex on the right side of the entrance door.
The remains of the original golden mosaics of Hagia Sophia were used to make this mosaic, which fell off during renovations done by the Fossati brothers.
Green-colored mosaics were added to the piece and gifted to Sultan Abdulmajid between 1849 and 1847.
The base is a golden-guided piece that attaches all the mosaics on a circular surface.
It has navy blue mosaics attached at the edges to create a circular border to the piece.
The Tughra symbolizes the combination of Ottoman and Byzantine styles since the design is Ottoman, and the materials used to craft it are Byzantine!
Mosaics of the Bema Arch
The Bema arch has two stunning mosaics of the Angels Gabriel and Micheal painted on its surface.
Only one mosaic of Gabriel can be seen today under the Bema Arch inside Hagia Sophia, which is considered the most beautiful piece of the Mosque!
It depicts Gabriel as a young woman with fair skin and a pretty ribbon in her hair.
She is wearing dark-colored royal clothes and an elegant cape on her back. In her hands, she holds a scepter and a crystal ball.
You can also see the remains of Micheal’s wings and his foot in the mosaic.
Other Faded Mosaics
The mosaics you have read about above are some of the most popular mosaics inside the Hagia Sophia.
If you have time left to explore, we recommend reading about these other religious mosaics that are covered up now or usually overlooked in a hurry!
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The Seraphim
On the dome of the Mosque were artful depictions of the Seraphim, which are painted red and believed to be burning as they are so close to God.
These show biblically accurate angels, depicted with a face surrounded by six wings that cover their bodies and feet.
Sadly, only one of these mosaics can be seen today since the faces of most Angels were covered with shining stars in the Ottoman dynasty.
John V
If you look closely near the eastern arch of the Mosque, you will see a faint depiction of John V with his wife, Helena.
It was discovered recently in 1989 but has yet to be uncovered entirely to the public.
Check out our What to See Inside Hagia Sophia article to discover other structures you should include exploring in your itinerary!
History of the Mosaics in Hagia Sophia
Most of the Hagia Sophia mosaics were painted after the Byzantine Iconoclasm period.
The Iconoclasts banned the painting of religious icons and figures, and over the years, most of the existing images were destroyed.
The sack of Constantinople, which occurred in 1204, further damaged the existing mosaics of the period.
The Latin crusaders damaged the golden mosaics, and most were sent to Venice.
Most of the religious Christian imagery was also covered up in 1453 when the Ottomans converted the Church into a Mosque.
FAQs on Hagia Sophia Mosaics
What mosaics are in Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Mosque has many Christian religious mosaics of Jesus, Mary, and other important Prophets. Inside the mosque, you can also see mosaics of Emperors from the Byzantine Dynasty. However, the identity of all the mosaics originally painted in the attraction has yet to be discovered since they were covered up during the Ottoman dynasty.
What happened to Hagia Sophia mosaics?
When the Ottomans converted the Church to a Mosque in 1453, most of the religious mosaics were covered up.
Which is the most famous mosaic in the Hagia Mosque?
The most famous mosaic is the incomplete Deesis Mosaic depiction, which is a scene from the Last Judgement. You can see Jesus at the center, with Mary and St. John the Baptist on either side, pleading with him to forgive humans for their sins.
How old are the Hagia Sophia mosaics?
The mosaics are 1,487 years old. The Church’s first mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child was painted in 843 AD.
Can you still see mosaics in Hagia Sophia?
You can still see mosaics in the Mosque. Most are on the second level, while a few are over doors and in the Vestibules.
Can I click pictures of the mosaics when visiting the Hagia Mosque?
You can click pictures of the mosaics without flash inside the Mosque. Professional and commercial use of the images are not allowed.
Do I need to have a ticket to explore the mosaics?
You must have Hagia Sophia tickets to enter and admire all the mosaics inside.
What is the best time of the day to see the mosaics?
The Mosque is least crowded early in the morning, from 9 am to 11 am.
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Featured Image: Commons.wikimedia.org
