The early Byzantine church of Hagia Eirene–the church of the Holy Peace–predates Hagia Sophia, its more famous and larger counterpart merely 100m away. For decades it’s been closed to the public (unless you went to a musical performance). But it is now open to tourists for the entry fee of 20 lira. Not cheap, but I was happy to finally see the inside of this icon of Byzantine architecture. Access to the upper galleries was not allowed and the steps roped off, but with the help of a German woman who distracted the guards, I removed the rope and all the tourists went up. It took the guards a good ten minutes to notice we were up there. So I managed to get pictures I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to take. Including the one above. Now I’m in Cyprus and enjoying the hospitality of my friends Jim and Hawley. Time to get some work done before heading off to Turkey again.