Ayasofya Meydanı, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Tel. (0212) 522 1750
Trolley: Sultanahmet
Open: 9:15am– 4:30pm Tue–Sun
The Hagia Sophia, known as Aya Sofya in Turkish, meaning "Holy Wisdom," is one of the most iconic and historically significant architectural marvels in the world. Located in Istanbul, Türkiye, it stands as a testament to the city's layered history, having served as a cathedral, mosque, museum, and mosque again over its nearly 1,500-year existence.
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Origins and Construction (537 CE)
Commissioned by Emperor
Justinian I: The Hagia Sophia was constructed between 532 and 537 CE
under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, intended to be the grandest
cathedral of the Christian world. It was built on the site of two
earlier churches, both destroyed by fires and riots, including the Nika
Riots of 532 CE.
Architects: The design was led by two brilliant
mathematicians and architects, Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of
Miletus. Their innovative approach combined engineering precision with
aesthetic grandeur.
Purpose: The Hagia Sophia was the central church
of the Byzantine Empire and the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople,
symbolizing the spiritual and political power of Byzantium.
Byzantine Period (537–1453)
For nearly a millennium, the Hagia Sophia
was the largest cathedral in the world and the heart of Eastern Orthodox
Christianity.
It hosted significant events, such as coronations of
Byzantine emperors and major religious ceremonies.
The church was
adorned with lavish mosaics, marble decorations, and religious icons,
many of which were damaged or covered during the Iconoclastic
Controversy (8th–9th centuries).
Ottoman Conquest and Conversion
to a Mosque (1453)
In 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks
under Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror). The Hagia Sophia was
converted into a mosque, reflecting Istanbul’s new role as the capital
of the Ottoman Empire.
Islamic features were added, including a
mihrab (prayer niche), minbar (pulpit), and minarets. Christian mosaics
were plastered over to align with Islamic aniconic traditions, though
many were preserved beneath the plaster.
Over the centuries, Ottoman
architects, notably Mimar Sinan in the 16th century, reinforced the
structure and added elements like buttresses and additional minarets.
Secular Museum (1935–2020)
In 1935, under the leadership of
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye, the Hagia Sophia
was secularized and transformed into a museum as part of the new
republic’s push toward modernization and neutrality in religious
matters.
During this period, extensive restoration work uncovered and
preserved many of the Byzantine mosaics, allowing visitors to appreciate
the building’s dual Christian and Islamic heritage.
The Hagia Sophia
became a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Historic Areas of
Istanbul) and a major tourist attraction.
Reconversion to a
Mosque (2020–Present)
In July 2020, the Turkish government, under
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reconverted the Hagia Sophia into a
mosque following a court ruling that overturned its museum status. This
decision sparked international debate, with concerns raised by UNESCO
and religious communities about the preservation of its universal
cultural heritage.
The building now functions as a working mosque,
with Islamic prayers held regularly, while remaining open to tourists
outside prayer times. Christian mosaics are covered with curtains during
prayers to respect Islamic practices but are visible at other times.
The Hagia Sophia is renowned for its revolutionary architecture,
which blends Roman engineering, Byzantine aesthetics, and later Ottoman
modifications. Its most striking feature is its massive central dome,
which appears to "float" above the structure, creating a sense of divine
transcendence.
The Dome
Dimensions: The central dome is
approximately 31 meters (102 feet) in diameter and rises 55.6 meters
(182 feet) above the floor. It was the largest dome in the world for
nearly a millennium until surpassed by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Engineering Innovation: The dome is supported by a system of
pendentives—curved triangular sections that transition the weight of the
circular dome to the square base below. This was a groundbreaking
solution that influenced later Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.
Light and Illusion: The dome is pierced with 40 windows at its base,
allowing natural light to flood the interior, creating the illusion that
the dome is suspended by a "chain from heaven," as described by
contemporary Byzantine accounts.
Repairs and Modifications: The dome
partially collapsed in 558 CE due to an earthquake and was rebuilt
slightly taller by Isidore the Younger. Ottoman architects later
reinforced it with additional buttresses.
Interior Space
Nave:
The vast central nave, measuring 73.5 meters (241 feet) in length, is
awe-inspiring in its scale and openness. The space is designed to evoke
the grandeur of the divine.
Marble and Columns: The interior is clad
in polychrome marble sourced from across the Byzantine Empire, including
green Thessalian marble, red porphyry, and white Proconnesian marble.
The columns, some reused from older Roman structures like the Temple of
Artemis at Ephesus, are intricately carved.
Mosaics: The Hagia
Sophia’s Byzantine mosaics are among its most celebrated features:
Deesis Mosaic (13th century): Located in the upper gallery, it depicts
Christ Pantocrator flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist,
considered a masterpiece of Byzantine art.
Empress Zoe and
Constantine IX Monomachos Mosaic (11th century): Shows the imperial
couple offering gifts to Christ.
Virgin and Child in the Apse (9th
century): A monumental mosaic in the apse, restored after the
Iconoclastic period.
Islamic Calligraphy: Ottoman additions include
large circular medallions inscribed with Arabic calligraphy, bearing the
names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, and the first four caliphs,
suspended in the nave.
Exterior
The exterior is less ornate
than the interior, with a massive, fortress-like appearance softened by
the elegant minarets added during the Ottoman period.
Four minarets,
constructed at different times, stand at the corners, reflecting Ottoman
architectural style.
Buttresses and additional supports were added
over time to stabilize the structure against Istanbul’s frequent
earthquakes.
Ottoman Additions
Mihrab and Minbar: The mihrab,
indicating the direction of Mecca, is slightly offset from the apse due
to the building’s original orientation toward Jerusalem. The minbar is
an intricately carved pulpit used for sermons.
Sultan’s Loge: A
private area for the sultan to pray, added during the Ottoman period.
Mausoleums: Adjacent to the Hagia Sophia are the tombs of several
Ottoman sultans, including Selim II and Murad III, designed with ornate
tilework.
Byzantine Christianity
The Hagia Sophia was the spiritual center
of the Byzantine Empire and a symbol of God’s wisdom (Sophia). Its
design influenced countless Orthodox churches, including St. Basil’s
Cathedral in Moscow.
It was a site of theological debates, such as
those during the Council of Constantinople, and a repository of
Christian relics.
Islamic Heritage
As a mosque, the Hagia
Sophia became a model for Ottoman architecture, inspiring mosques like
the Süleymaniye and Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
Its conversion in 1453
symbolized the triumph of Islam in the region and the Ottoman Empire’s
claim to the legacy of Rome.
Universal Symbol
The Hagia
Sophia’s dual Christian and Islamic heritage makes it a unique cultural
bridge between East and West, reflecting Istanbul’s role as a crossroads
of civilizations.
Its status as a museum (1935–2020) emphasized its
universal value, attracting millions of visitors annually to marvel at
its architectural and artistic treasures.
Function as a Mosque: Since 2020, the Hagia Sophia has operated as a
mosque, with free entry for visitors and worshippers. Non-Muslims can
visit outside prayer times, and the site remains a major tourist
destination.
Preservation Concerns: The reconversion raised concerns
about the preservation of Byzantine mosaics and other Christian
elements, given the heavy foot traffic and the need to cover religious
imagery during prayers. Turkish authorities have pledged to protect the
site’s heritage, with UNESCO monitoring its status.
Global Reactions:
The decision to revert the Hagia Sophia to a mosque was controversial,
with criticism from Greece, the Orthodox Church, and some Western
nations, who saw it as diminishing the site’s universal character.
Conversely, it was celebrated by many in Türkiye and the Muslim world as
a reclamation of Islamic heritage.
Location: The Hagia Sophia is in the Sultanahmet district of
Istanbul, near the Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern.
Access: Entry is free, but visitors must adhere to mosque etiquette
(e.g., modest clothing, removing shoes, and women covering their hair).
Highlights for Visitors:
The awe-inspiring dome and its light-filled
interior.
The Deesis Mosaic and other Byzantine artworks in the upper
galleries.
The Weeping Column, a marble column with a hole said to
grant wishes if touched.
The Omphalion, a circular marble floor
marking the spot where Byzantine emperors were crowned.
Best Time to
Visit: Early mornings or late afternoons to avoid crowds, especially
outside prayer times.
The Hagia Sophia remains a pinnacle of architectural achievement and
a symbol of cultural synthesis. Its dome inspired Renaissance
architects, Ottoman mosques, and modern structures. Its history
encapsulates the rise and fall of empires, the interplay of religions,
and the enduring power of human creativity.
Architectural
Influence: The Hagia Sophia’s pendentive dome became a blueprint for
Byzantine, Ottoman, and Renaissance architecture, seen in structures
like the Florence Cathedral and Istanbul’s Süleymaniye Mosque.
Cultural Symbol: It represents the shared heritage of Christianity and
Islam, embodying both unity and tension between these faiths.
Modern
Relevance: The Hagia Sophia continues to spark discussions about
heritage, secularism, and religious identity in a globalized world.