![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YN7GMIZIGVWFS67NH5EW3YOPGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=985132606e2401fb165c3091b2bb99e9af2e81495dc6b8c0b9b931599b23b7f5&width=400&height=225)
The Empress Zoe mosaic in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTAUQ5MG5G4QC77VWNX6JCSW2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=783750963e70c4c1d1f560a96f947455c6652c44e18927831fcd9cf0eb481635&width=400&height=225)
A huge stage set up inside the Hagia Sophia Museum for restoration works after experts uncovered one of the six angel mosaics after it had been hidden for 160 years behind plaster and a metal mask. Experts were surprised to see that the mosaic, believed to date from the 14th century, was so well preserved. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJDI7XTUEGJ2KYOEAVVPYLVRKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=773eed74933823f0fd0caa886fd4ba06659f37ed274d964827c31ad850e28b4c&width=400&height=225)
Mosaics inside the famous Basilica Hagia Sophia.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4S3CRNZGMVGQXMJFIJYFKV7QSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b000210cf7a0dce6c0b0ac408f9ac7c69e18b9dce056e6c0968de4b4a602dc4&width=400&height=225)
The ceiling of Hagia Sophia with the numerous semi-domes and the main dome decorated with ancient golden mosaics
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZQNYRJYU6PNL4COLFAKKF63XHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3eed89173c694de1fb765867b0530fa3a51499733fc135d67880c9331ed6c0d1&width=400&height=225)
The angel mosaic is seen after it was uncovered at Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the six angel mosaics within the world-famous Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul and was hidden for 160 years behind plaster and a metal mask. The mosaic, which measures 1.5 metres by 1 metre, was last seen by Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati, who headed restoration efforts at the museum between 1847 and 1849. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GY2ONR7ODSTREK32BY5KQIVJ7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a8613bcae4da048ccbe0550ed2445674ce1c218129cbc3471411dee0f7826cf&width=400&height=225)
The Islamic decoration on the domes of the interior of Hagia Sophia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZCUH7CYZSSNOUX372IVGTOXJM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f7d73d26ca1df1490367148fcf836d7cb9a777b1053b3b10f5f1cc012bd0ac4&width=400&height=225)
Hagia Sophia Museum, Sultanahmet Square
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WO3374SR6DHKA5NUNM6V2J3Q44.jpg?smart=true&auth=191f823b5ee5f6ec0a39d8ed7c083c0dad09ad417c62011269d91adda481f686&width=400&height=225)
An exterior view of the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YN7GMIZIGVWFS67NH5EW3YOPGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=985132606e2401fb165c3091b2bb99e9af2e81495dc6b8c0b9b931599b23b7f5&width=400&height=225)
The Empress Zoe mosaic in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTAUQ5MG5G4QC77VWNX6JCSW2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=783750963e70c4c1d1f560a96f947455c6652c44e18927831fcd9cf0eb481635&width=400&height=225)
A huge stage set up inside the Hagia Sophia Museum for restoration works after experts uncovered one of the six angel mosaics after it had been hidden for 160 years behind plaster and a metal mask. Experts were surprised to see that the mosaic, believed to date from the 14th century, was so well preserved. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJDI7XTUEGJ2KYOEAVVPYLVRKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=773eed74933823f0fd0caa886fd4ba06659f37ed274d964827c31ad850e28b4c&width=400&height=225)
Mosaics inside the famous Basilica Hagia Sophia.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4S3CRNZGMVGQXMJFIJYFKV7QSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b000210cf7a0dce6c0b0ac408f9ac7c69e18b9dce056e6c0968de4b4a602dc4&width=400&height=225)
The ceiling of Hagia Sophia with the numerous semi-domes and the main dome decorated with ancient golden mosaics
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZQNYRJYU6PNL4COLFAKKF63XHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3eed89173c694de1fb765867b0530fa3a51499733fc135d67880c9331ed6c0d1&width=400&height=225)
The angel mosaic is seen after it was uncovered at Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the six angel mosaics within the world-famous Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul and was hidden for 160 years behind plaster and a metal mask. The mosaic, which measures 1.5 metres by 1 metre, was last seen by Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati, who headed restoration efforts at the museum between 1847 and 1849. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GY2ONR7ODSTREK32BY5KQIVJ7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a8613bcae4da048ccbe0550ed2445674ce1c218129cbc3471411dee0f7826cf&width=400&height=225)
The Islamic decoration on the domes of the interior of Hagia Sophia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZCUH7CYZSSNOUX372IVGTOXJM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f7d73d26ca1df1490367148fcf836d7cb9a777b1053b3b10f5f1cc012bd0ac4&width=400&height=225)
Hagia Sophia Museum, Sultanahmet Square
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WO3374SR6DHKA5NUNM6V2J3Q44.jpg?smart=true&auth=191f823b5ee5f6ec0a39d8ed7c083c0dad09ad417c62011269d91adda481f686&width=400&height=225)
An exterior view of the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YN7GMIZIGVWFS67NH5EW3YOPGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=985132606e2401fb165c3091b2bb99e9af2e81495dc6b8c0b9b931599b23b7f5&width=400&height=225)
The Empress Zoe mosaic in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
A look at the mosaics inside the Hagia Sophia: they tell a layered and important history
Many are afraid that the decision to reinstate the monument as a mosque puts the depth of the Hagia Sophia’s history at risk
![Razmig Bedirian](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F275b4b76-cb6d-410e-a5df-c23d65484c26.png?smart=true&auth=fc94b07464368c9c664f3bd102f95ffe4c76b1b38fe7d6fee2362e26add51d0e&width=70&height=70)
Razmig Bedirian
16 July, 2020
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