THE HAGHIA SOPHIA MUSEUM

A masterpiece of Byzantine mosaic art, located on the wall of the southern gallery and beautiful under the natural light falling in from the window to its side, this mural section featuring three figures is located at the center of the very wide "Last Judgment" scene. The figures in this section known as the "Deesis" are of Jesus Christ in the middle, the Virgin Mary to his right and John the Baptist to his left. The mosaic background composed of pieces mounted in varying patterns adds to the overall effect of this mural, renowned also for the realistic expressions on the faces.

The column capitals of the Haghia Sophia are the most typical 6th century Byzantine decorations in the whole building. The deep-grooved marble shafts, a peculiarity of that era, create a beautiful interplay of shadow and light.

The period characteristic of the Byzantine column capitals is the merging of acanthus leaves with volutes. Some of these adorn the imperial monogram. The most famous columns in the building are the eight porphyry columns brought in from the temple of Helios at Baalbek, standing in pairs at the four corners of the nave.