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HolyLandPhotos.orgBiblical & Archaeological Archive
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SE Corner of the Central Nave
ID: TWMRISHS50 · © Carl Rasmussen · Added: 2021

SE Corner of the Central Nave

photo

View looking down on to the southeast corner of the Hagia Sophia.

From the upper left, proceeding to the upper center, are the mihrab (the niche pointing Muslims toward Mecca for prayer) and the minbar (or pulpit). The structure in the center of the image is the müezzin fahfilis which is a marble platform for the readers of the Koran. On this side of it, the marble circular tiles in the floor mark the sit of "coronation square." This is said to be the place where the Byzantine Emperors were crowned and/or the "omphalos" or center of the world.