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Stephen’ s was constructed utilising five hundred tonnes of prefabricated steel structure created in Vienna, Austria.
Iron churches weren’ t new of the time. The British had sent pressed sheet, corrugated, iron to places such as Australia to be used as prefabricated churches. The French had done similar into the Philippines. Yet, here was something unique for it was all cast iron allowing for the intricate detail. St. Stephen’ s remains one of the few iron churches still standing today.
Within, the details are more exquisite, beautiful gilding display scenes from the bible, religious or not, it’ s hard to not find something that draws you in to want to witness this unique buildings that seems to sit as a testament that houses of faith should, and could, be multifaith if the followers allow.
Exploring further, many more examples of architectural splendour are to be found in Istanbul. Look to the horizon and slender minarets point skyward in a seemingly neverending vista of mosques. Hilltops, waterfront, backstreets, all display domes to house the religious faithful. Palaces look out to the Bosphorus, backdropped by modern high rise, a contrast that displays the riches of the past and a way to the future.
Narrow lanes filled with relics of the past utilised as the domains of artisans, cafes, and bars of the present. All a small-scale version of that of the greater buildings and displaying the same contrast of ideas that works in this world.
Istanbul is truly a unique experience, a city where one needs to step off their motorcycle and explore on foot. Take a day, a week, a month or longer, you’ ll find yourself discovering ideas that seem to conflict and yet work in harmony. Is Istanbul a utopia? No, of course, not but it is an architectural lesson, on many levels, how differing opinions can work in harmony. LW
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