Where have restoration workers uncovered a mosaic of an angels face?”
ANKARA, Turkey — Restoration workers have uncovered a well-preserved, long-hidden mosaic face of an angel at the former Byzantine cathedral of Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, an official said Friday. The seraphim figure – one of two located on the side of a dome – had been covered up along with the building’s other Christian mosaics shortly after Constantinople – the former name for Istanbul – fell to the Ottomans in 1453 and the cathedral was turned into a mosque. The mosaics were plastered over according to Muslim custom that prohibits the representation of humans.
Angel’s face uncovered at Istanbul’s Haghia Sophia ANKARA, Turkey—Restoration workers have uncovered a well-preserved, long-hidden mosaic face of an angel at the former Byzantine cathedral of Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, an official said Friday. Discuss COMMENTS (0) The seraphim figure — one of two located on the side of a dome — had been covered up along with the building’s other Christian mosaics shortly after Constantinople — the former name for Istanbul — fell to the Ottomans in 1453 and the cathedral was turned into a mosque. The mosaics were plastered over according to Muslim custom that prohibits the representation of humans. Some of the mosaics were revealed when the domed complex was turned into a museum in 1935, but the seraphim had largely remained covered, Ahmet Emre Bilgili, who heads culture and tourism affairs in Istanbul, told The Associated Press. Two Swiss architects saw the two seraphim during restoration work ordered by the Sultan in the mid-19th century but the f
ANKARA, Turkey — A Turkish official says restoration workers have uncovered the never-before-seen mosaic face of an angel at Istanbul’s Haghia Sophia — a former Byzantine cathedral. The cathedral’s Christian mosaics were covered up in line with Muslim custom shortly after Constantinople — the former name for Istanbul — fell to the Ottomans in 1453 and the cathedral was turned into a mosque. Some of the mosaics were revealed after it was turned into a museum in 1935, but the angel image remained covered. Ahmet Emre Bilgili, the head of culture and tourism affairs for Istanbul, told the Associated Press on Friday that restoration workers will now work to uncover a second mosaic angel image.
