The awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Located in Istanbul’s old town on the European side of the Bosphorus, Hagia Sophia ("Holy Wisdom") was built in the 6th century and was the world's largest religious monument for nearly a thousand years. The building has multiple buttressed domes and towering minarets, and the interior features many intricate golden mosaics. The Ottomans turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque in 1453 when they took Constantinople. Now it is a public museum and a highlight of any visit to Istanbul. Take a tour with the slideshow above.

Beautiful churches around the world
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Throughout the world, faith inspires beauty, as is the case with these 45 stunning churches and cathedrals.
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Colombia, Las Lajas Cathedral
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Inspired by Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal elevates the Gothic-revival architectural style to a stunning height.
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La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
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Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
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San Francisco de Asis - Taos
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Cadet Chapel - Air Force
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Cadet Chapel interior
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Chapel of the Holy Cross - Sedona
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Borgund Stavkyrkje - Norway
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Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin The building is modeled after (but not a true replica of) the 12th century stave church in Borgund, Norway.
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Milan Cathedral from the Square
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The Greek island of Santorini is dotted with white-washed, blue-domed churches, and they're all beautiful. Take your pick!
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famous church of Heiligenblut in the alps
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Sainte chapelle
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St Peter's Basilica Vatican
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St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican
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St. Michael's Ukraine
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St. Louis Cathedral at sunrise
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Perched on an island in the middle of Bled Lake in Slovenia, the Church of Assumption is only reachable by handmade wooden row boats.
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Church on Spilt Blood, St Petersburg
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Spilt Blood
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Chapel on the Rock- Colo.
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Heddal Stave Church
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St. Bartholomew's - Bavaira
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cathedral of brasilia
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Cathedral of Brasilia interior
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St Basil's Moscow
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The riverside Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Dinant, Belgium, was destroyed in both World War I and II, but the rebuilt version with its bulbous spire is postcard perfect.
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Church of Hallgrimur
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Chapel of Thanksgiving
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Covadonga
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Salisbury Cathedral at Night
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Yosemite Church
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Cathedral of Cuenca Spain
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Stowe Community Church
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Brasilia's Santuario Dom Bosco looks boxy from the outside, but once you step through the doors, it's a sight to behold. The walls are made up of 7,500 pieces of Murano glass that when illuminated by the outside sun, cast the interior in a blue glow.
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San Diego LDS Temple
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The Church of Mary Magdalene, Gethsemanem, Jerusalem
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Nossa Senhora de Lourdes
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Photo of St. Charles Cathedral (Karlskirche) in Vienna, Austria.
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Wooden churches on island Kizhi
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crystal cathedral
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Basilica Sacre-Coeur
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The Church of Panagia Paraportiani, Mykonos Island, Greece
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Cathedral of Christ the Saviour moscow
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Basilica Quito
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Church of tsarevitch dmitry on blood, uglich
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Memorial Temple the Birth of Christ, Shipka, Bulgaria
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Notre-Dame-du-Haut - France
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Notre-Dame-du-Haut France
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Rocher et chapelle Saint Michel Puy-en-Velay
Photo tour: Beautiful Turkey
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Grand Bazaar
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Hot air balloons rise over valley, Turkey
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Scene in Alacati ,Turkey
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Kas, Turkey
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Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, comprises the well-preserved ruins of Hellenistic and Roman settlements. It's one of the best examples of a typical Roman trading port.
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Pamukkale
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Flanked by six delicate minarets, the Blue Mosque ranks among Istanbul's most famous (and most photographed) buildings.
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Havadan Ankara Kalesi 2
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Kinali island beach
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Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey
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Mount Ararat
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Amasya
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Dolmabahce palace, istanbul
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Oludeniz lagoon in sea landscape view of beach
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Known for its Seljuk architecture and long history, Konya is home to the Mevlana Museum which was the original lodge of the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes.
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Ishak Pasha Palace
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Blue Mosque
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The Koprulu canyon
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Hagia Sophia
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The rock-cut tombs in Myra, Antalya, Turkey
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Galata Towers and Old Buildings
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traditional syrian houses and church at midyat mardin turkey
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Mount Nemrut
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rainbow stairs
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Sumela Monastery