Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia (from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom") is a former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica, later an Ottoman imperial mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian I. The building was a church for 916 years, an imperial mosque for 482 years, and a museum for 115 years. It was reopened as a museum on January 1, 1935.

 

The Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was constructed on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I between 532 and 537 AD. The architect was Isidore of Miletus.

The Hagia Sophia was originally built as a church between 532 and 537 AD. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The building was constructed on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, and was designed by the architect Isidore of Miletus.

In 1453, Constantinople (made up of the city of Constantinople and the surrounding area) was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, and the Hagia Sophia was turned into an imperial mosque. The Islamic features—such as the mihrab (a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca), minbar (a pulpit), and four minarets (towers used for calling the faithful to prayer)—were added to the building. The Christian mosaics and icons were covered up or destroyed.

 

In 1934, the Republic of Turkey was founded, and the Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum. The mosaics and icons were restored, and many of the Islamic features were removed. The Hagia Sophia is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul.