The runic inscription inside the Hagia Sophia reads “Halfdan carved these runes.”
It was left by a Viking serving in the Varangian Guard, Norse mercenaries who guarded Byzantine emperors.
The graffiti is nearly 1,000 years old and is still visible today.
cndynn96 on
This mirrors Latin inscriptions inside the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses VI carved by Romans saying
“I visited and I did not like anything except the sarcophagus!”
“I admired!”
“I can not read the hieroglyphs!”
REDthunderBOAR on
Graffiti was fairly common back then. Romans did it, vikings did it, heck the locals encouraged it many of times.
There is actually a story in Italy in the small walled town of Montefiascone where a man wrote”Est Est Est” into a door which is essentially, “Look Here!” Saying the wine is very good.
LastEsotericist on
No evidence survives since the entire edifice was removed for building material but I 100% know Romans drew dicks on the Pyramids.
100Fowers on
Varangians once went on strike. They were feuding with the government and during a battle they occupied the armory and just sat until they got a negotiated pay raise.
coolcoolcool485 on
I love centuries old graffiti. When I’ve visited Europe, it’s my favorite things to look at, even if I definitely can’t read some of it. Such a human thing to do.
Talonsminty on
If you think thats bad you should see what they did to holy buildings in England.
7 Comments
The runic inscription inside the Hagia Sophia reads “Halfdan carved these runes.”
It was left by a Viking serving in the Varangian Guard, Norse mercenaries who guarded Byzantine emperors.
The graffiti is nearly 1,000 years old and is still visible today.
This mirrors Latin inscriptions inside the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses VI carved by Romans saying
“I visited and I did not like anything except the sarcophagus!”
“I admired!”
“I can not read the hieroglyphs!”
Graffiti was fairly common back then. Romans did it, vikings did it, heck the locals encouraged it many of times.
There is actually a story in Italy in the small walled town of Montefiascone where a man wrote”Est Est Est” into a door which is essentially, “Look Here!” Saying the wine is very good.
No evidence survives since the entire edifice was removed for building material but I 100% know Romans drew dicks on the Pyramids.
Varangians once went on strike. They were feuding with the government and during a battle they occupied the armory and just sat until they got a negotiated pay raise.
I love centuries old graffiti. When I’ve visited Europe, it’s my favorite things to look at, even if I definitely can’t read some of it. Such a human thing to do.
If you think thats bad you should see what they did to holy buildings in England.