Monumental

A nice, leisurely, piece on the wonderful Hagia Sophia. It is disheartening to see the way the monument is decaying, and how near it is to collapse.

The structure stands not only as a magnificent architectural treasure but also as a complex accretion of myth, symbol and history. The landmark entwines the legacies of medieval Christianity, the Ottoman Empire, resurgent Islam and modern secular Turkey in a kind of Gordian knot, confounding preservationists who want to save it from decay and restore its former glory.

There is also substantial history on the monument that makes for a fascinating read. Its a wonderful building in a magical city, as I wrote more than 3 years ago. Sigh, what a trip that was.

*hat tip:green channel