Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is one of the most significant architectural monuments in Istanbul and the world. It symbolizes the Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish heritage.
Construction and Byzantine Era
- Date of construction: Built between 532–537 AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
- Architects: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, leading mathematicians and architects of their time.
- Purpose: Designed as the largest church of the Byzantine Empire and its central religious structure.
- Feature: It was the largest enclosed space in the world upon completion, with a dome that represented a revolutionary engineering achievement.
Architectural Features
- Dome: 31 meters in diameter, 55 meters high. Supported by four massive piers. It collapsed several times due to earthquakes and was reinforced, especially during the Ottoman era (notably by architect Mimar Sinan).
- Mosaics: Rich Byzantine mosaics depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, and saints.
- Dimensions: Approximately 70 meters long and 75 meters wide.
Ottoman Era
- 1453: Converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed II after the conquest of Constantinople.
- Additions: Minarets, mihrab, minbar, muezzin platforms, and large calligraphic panels were added.
- Mimar Sinan: Strengthened the structure with buttresses and additional supports, ensuring its survival to this day.
Republican Period and Beyond
- 1935: Converted into a museum by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This allowed the restoration and preservation of mosaics.
- 2020: Re-converted into a mosque by the Republic of Turkey. It remains open to worship and tourism.
Significance
- World Heritage: Part of Istanbul’s Historic Areas on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Cultural Layering: A sacred site for both Christianity and Islam, representing two great civilizations in one monument.
- Tourism: Attracts millions of visitors annually as one of the city’s top landmarks.
Hagia Sophia is not only a place of worship but also a turning point in world architecture, engineering, art, and history.
