The Hagia Sophia is one of the most famous cultural sites in Istanbul, Turkey. It was originally built as a Greek Orthodox church. But after the Byzantine Empire collapsed, it was converted into a mosque. Today, it is a major tourist attraction in Istanbul. With its history, beauty and architecture, it is a site that will leave you awestruck. While the entrance line looks long, it actually moves quickly.
Visiting The Hagia Sophia
Getting to the Hagia Sophia is pretty simple. From just about anywhere in the city, you can get to the T1 above ground train that runs to the Sultanahmet stop. From here, it’s a short walk to the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the underground cistern, great restaurants, souvenirs, and much more. The train is reasonably priced and very reliable transportation. Do yourself a favor and stay in a hotel somewhere along this line.
Since shoes aren’t allowed in the mosque but that is not a problem because there are shoe racks on both sides of the doors. Please note for women, that leaving super nice, high end brand new hard to find amazing shoes in the shoe racks is a risk. They might not be there when you return. Don’t let this deter you from visiting. Instead, bring a strong plastic bag and keep your shoes with you.
Being that the Hagia Sophia is an active mosque, only men are allowed on the prayer floor. There is a separate section for women. Women are not allowed to walk past a certain area that is gated off. There is a guard present to enforce this.
Built In The Byzantine Architectural Style
In a unique combination of both a basilica and a cathedral, Hagia Sophia was constructed in the Byzantine style. The interior is richly decorated with mosaics. Many of the figures that decorate the mosaics are icons, and the mosaics are on a gold background. However, because of imperial legislation, the use of figural images was prohibited.
The 104 columns that make up the main structure of the Hagia Sophia were imported from Egypt. The floor is made from marble that was produced in Anatolia. Some of the bricks used to construct the church came from North Africa.
The mosaics that are in the walls of the Hagia Sophia were created during the time of the Byzantine Empire. They depict figures from the Christian Gospels. There are also scenes from the life of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and other saints.
Hagia Sophia was built as a cathedral in the early 6th century. Originally, it was known as the Church of Holy Wisdom. After the first dome burned down, the construction was restarted on a smaller scale. In the mid-14th century, the dome was replaced.
The Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world during its day. It was also a prominent venue for emperors. When Justinian I came to power, he wanted to create a structure that represented the whole Byzantine Empire.
Emperor Justinian ordered a group of renowned architects to build a new basilica. Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus were commissioned. Their work on the cathedral was completed in just six years.
Hagia Sophia Was Converted Into A Mosque
The Hagia Sophia was originally a Christian place of worship. After the Byzantine Empire collapsed, the new Ottoman rulers turned the church into a mosque. They did not destroy the monument, however.
During the early 20th century, the Mosque was converted into a museum. A few decades later, a second dome was added. Designed by the nephew of the original architect, the cupola reaches 180 feet (55 m) above the mosaic floor.
Although some of the Byzantine mosaics had been exposed to natural wear and tear, the majority of the Christian imagery was covered over by whitewash. In addition, Islamic calligraphy was used instead of the Byzantine writing.
Some of the Christian mosaics had been partially covered by the fabric curtains that were used in mosque prayers. According to Turkish officials, this was needed to convert the church to a Muslim prayer space. However, historians of both the Byzantine and Islamic art traditions point out that this is a practice that Orthodox Christians use to veil their icons, and this is not an appropriate method of converting an interior space to a mosque.
During the 20th century, the Mosque was restored, and new mosaics were installed. Several of the mosaics still remain intact, including the Omphalion, a marble slab on which the Christ Pantocrator is depicted.
Hagia Sophia Contains Five Tombs
Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to its architectural splendor, its history is quite impressive. There are five tombs within the complex. Each is named after a sultan.
The Sultan Selim II tomb contains 42 sarcophagi. It was designed by Mimar Sinan. This tomb was made with tiles on its interior walls. These tiles were later covered with Islamic calligraphy. Some of the tiles were also replaced with marble. Other parts of the tomb were broken down into pieces.
The Sultan Murad III mausoleum was built in 1599. The mausoleum is hexagonal in shape. Inside, it has sarcophagi of the sultan as well as his wife and sons.
A few years ago, there were restorations of the tombs of the Sultans inside the Hagia Sophia. Those restorations are now completed. They also reveal more information about the sultans’ sepulchral culture.
It is a work of unfathomable beauty
If you’re looking for a place of great religious and architectural beauty, you’ll definitely want to visit the Hagia Sophia. This Byzantine-era monument is located on the historic peninsula of Istanbul. With its elaborate cornices, elegant pillars, and gorgeous mosaics, this is a must-see.
After centuries of destruction and repairs, the Hagia Sophia has endured the test of time. It survived a devastating earthquake in 558, and has since been cleaned and restored. In 1935, the building was converted into a museum. However, Turkish President Kemal Ataturk secularized the building, resulting in it becoming a popular tourist attraction.
