Haiga Sophia

I'm not going to write this history you can find it here.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia

Photos are difficult because of the lighting and ever present scaffolding used for restoration. Based on the amount of dust on the supports for the scaffolding I think it's the same from the last time I visited. 

Anyway, as John's lovely post a few days ago said, this was originally a Varangian trip so I will end with a shot of the Varangian guard graffiti. It is in runic written in the 10th century and seems to be in support of the guard commander. 

 

[John: this is the Halfdan "Half Dane" Inscription and is illegible except for the name]