Hagia Sophia is one of the world's treasures. It is the third church on the site, the first one being inaugurated by Constantine II in 360. This particular version was completed in the year 537 and remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost 1000 years, until the Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. In the 13th Century, the Latin Church (what we today call the Catholic Church) invaded old Constantinople, and held Hagia Sophia for several decades and during this time looted and defiled the structure.
The Ottomans took over the city in 1453 and had the Orthodox church converted to a mosque. Over the next 450 years Islamic elements were added to the building like minarets and the gold leaf Christian mosaics were whitewashed. After World War I, the Ottoman Empire ceased to exist and the leader of the new, secular Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk closed the mosque and converted the building to a museum. At this time, the Islamic carpets were removed and the original marble floors were uncovered, the ancient mosaics were discovered and painstakingly brought back to life and entire cathedral was restored, respecting both its Christian and Islamic histories--although this process of restoration continues to this day.
I have been to many of the major Christian cathedrals of Europe. Because of its extraordinary history, groundbreaking architecture, and breathtaking grandeur, in my opinion, Hagia Sophia is as remarkable a structure as I have visited in my years of wandering through ancient religious monuments.
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| Exterior view of Hagia Sophia |
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| Inside the Basilica |
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| The Deesic Mosaic, circa 12th Century. This mosaic was discovered in the 1932 restoration. It depicts the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist imploring Jesus Christ to fulfill his mission of salvation. |
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| View of the Hagia Sophia from the vicinity of the Blue Mosque. |
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| Detail of architectural structure of Hagia Sophia |
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