Hagia Sophia is the shrine of two world religions and one of the most magnificent buildings on our planet. For fifteen centuries, Hagia Sophia was the main sanctuary of two great empires - Byzantine and Ottoman, having gone through difficult turns of their history. Having received the status of a museum in 1935, it has become a symbol of a new Turkey that has embarked on a secular path of development.
The history of the creation of Hagia Sophia
In the IV century A.D. e. the great emperor Constantine built a Christian basilica on the site of the market square. Several years later, this building was destroyed by fire. At the site of the conflagration, a second basilica was erected, which suffered the same fate. In 532, the emperor Justinian began the construction of a great temple, equal to which mankind did not know, in order to glorify forever the name of the Lord.
The best architects of that time supervised ten thousand workers. Marble, gold, ivory for the decoration of the Hagia Sophia were brought from all over the empire. The construction was completed in an unprecedentedly short time, and five years later, in 537, the building was consecrated by the Patriarch of Constantinople.
Subsequently, Hagia Sophia suffered several earthquakes - the first happened shortly after the completion of construction and caused serious damage. In 989, an earthquake led to the collapse of the dome of the cathedral, which was soon restored.
Mosque of two religions
For over 900 years, Hagia Sophia was the main Christian church of the Byzantine Empire. It was here in 1054 that events took place that split the church into Orthodox and Catholic.
From 1209 to 1261, the main shrine of Orthodox Christians was in the power of Catholic crusaders, who plundered it and took to Italy many of the relics kept here.
On May 28, 1453, the last Christian service in the history of the Hagia Sophia took place here, and the next day Constantinople fell under the blows of the troops of Sultan Mehmed II, and the temple was turned into a mosque by his order.
And only in the XX century, when the decision of Ataturk, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a museum, the balance was restored.
We advise you to read about the Kazan Cathedral.
Hagia Sophia is a unique religious structure, in which frescoes depicting Christian saints side by side with suras from the Koran inscribed on large black circles, and minarets surround the building, built in the style typical of Byzantine churches.
Architecture and interior decoration
Not a single photo can convey the grandeur and austere beauty of Hagia Sophia. But the current building differs from the original construction: the dome was rebuilt more than once, and in the Muslim period several buildings and four minarets were added to the main building.
The original appearance of the temple fully corresponded to the canons of the Byzantine style. Inside the temple is striking in size more than outside. The massive dome system consists of a large dome reaching over 55 meters in height and several hemispherical ceilings. The side aisles are separated from the central aisle by malachite and porphyry columns, taken from the pagan temples of ancient cities.
Several frescoes and amazing mosaics have survived from Byzantine decoration to the present day. During the years when the mosque was located here, the walls were covered with plaster, and its thick layer has preserved these masterpieces to this day. Looking at them, one can imagine how splendid the decoration was in the best times. Changes in the Ottoman period, apart from the minarets, include the mihrab, the marble minbar, and the richly decorated Sultan's bed.
Interesting Facts
- Contrary to popular belief, the temple is named not in honor of Saint Sophia, but is dedicated to the Wisdom of God (“Sophia” means “wisdom” in Greek).
- Several mausoleums of the sultans and their wives are located on the territory of Hagia Sophia. Among those who are buried in the tombs, there are many children who became victims of the fierce struggle for succession to the throne, which was usual for those times.
- It is believed that the Shroud of Turin was kept in the Sophia Cathedral until the plundering of the temple in the 13th century.
Useful information: how to get to the museum
Hagia Sophia is located in the oldest district of Istanbul, where there are many historical sites - Blue Mosque, Cistern, Topkapi. This is the most significant building in the city, and not only the indigenous Istanbulites, but also any tourist will tell you how to get to the museum. You can get there by public transport on the T1 tram line (Sultanahmet stop).
The museum is open from 9:00 to 19:00, and from October 25 to April 14 - until 17:00. Monday is a day off. There is always a long queue at the ticket office, so you need to come in advance, especially in the evening hours: ticket sales stop an hour before closing. You can buy an e-ticket on the official website of Hagia Sophia. The entrance costs 40 liras.
