Mosaics in Aya Sofya

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When Hagia Sophia was first built it must have glowed. The gold mosaics throughout the building would have reflected the candles and sunlight streaming through the high windows.
Some of the remaing Byzantine mosaics which haven't been lost of stolen over the 1500 years include the mosaic over the south doorway. This dates back to 944. Virgin Mary is sitting on a backless throne decorated with jewels. Child Christ is sitting on her lap and he is holding a scroll. They are both flanked on the left by Justinian I, and on the right by Constantine the Great.
Over the Imperial door is another mosaic of a similar age in which Emperor Leo VI with a halo over his head is kneeling before Christ, who is sitting on a jeweled throne and blessing the emperor.
At the east end of the church, at a high point in the apse, a mosaic depicts Virgin Mary sitting on a backless throne decorated with jewels and holding child Christ on her lap.
Two mosaics are located on the left balustrade above the upper gallery, below the two rows of windows. They depict John Chrysostom and Ignatius the Younger.