Hagia Sophia is one of the most important monuments in the world. It is located in Istanbul, Turkey, and is a symbol of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. It was originally built as a Christian cathedral in 537 AD, and served as the largest and most important church in the Eastern Roman Empire for nearly 1,000 years. In 1453, it was converted into an Ottoman mosque, and remained as such until 1931. In 1935, it was converted into a museum, and it remains one of the most visited monuments in the world today.
Before
Hagia Sophia was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I and is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of Byzantine architecture. It was the first building to incorporate a fully developed system of vaulted arches, domes and semi-domes. The interior of the church was decorated with a variety of colorful mosaics, marble columns, and carved stone walls. The dome, which stands at 180 feet, was the largest of its kind in the world at the time. It was designed to symbolize the divine nature of God, and was decorated with golden mosaics and other ornaments.
After
In 1453, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque. The Christian mosaics and other decorations were plastered over, and a large mihrab (prayer niche) was installed. The dome was also decorated with calligraphic inscriptions praising Allah and Muhammad. During the Ottoman period, the mosque was expanded and several minarets were added to the exterior.
In 1931, the Turkish Republic declared Hagia Sophia to be a museum. The plaster was removed from the interior and the Christian mosaics and other decorations were restored. The mihrab was removed and the dome was decorated with a large cross. Today, Hagia Sophia is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Conclusion
Hagia Sophia is one of the most iconic monuments in the world, and has served as a symbol of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. It was originally built as a Christian cathedral in 537 AD, and was converted into an Ottoman mosque in 1453. In 1931, it was converted into a museum and remains one of the most visited monuments in the world today.
Visiting Hagia Sophia
- Hagia Sophia is open to visitors every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
- Admission is free, but tickets are required and can be purchased online or at the entrance.
- Guided tours are available in several languages.
- Photography is allowed in most areas, but without a flash.
0 Comments