Hagia Sophia History

Hagia Sophia History Hagia Sophia called Ayasofya in turkish, Sancta Sophia in latin and also people call it Church of the Holly Wisdom. Hagia Sophia has been constructed three times in the same location When it was constructed first, it was called Megale Ekklesia (Big Church). Present state was built by emperor Justinian I. at Byzantine Empire in the 6th century AC (532 – 537). Hagia Sophia is most important Byzantine monument. Also İt is important for Muslims after Fatih Sultan Mehmed conquered İstanbul in 1453 and designed as a mosque. Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

First Church was constructed by Emperor Konstantios in 360 AC. It was built with wooden roof and vertically basilical style. Emperor Arkadios’ wife empress Eudoksia and patriarch Chrysostomos had some disaggrements. In 404 AC, pariarch Chrysostomos was exiled and the first church was burned down after public riot. Now patriarch Chrysostomos mosaic portrait can be wiew northern wall of the church. Nowadays there is not too much reminder part from first Hagia Sophia.

The second church was built by Emperor Theodosios II in 415. The second church demolished and burned after Nika revolt in 532. That riot was organized by the arictocrats and merchants society against Byzantine Empire and Emperor Justinianos. Reminder parts of second church and also monumental entrance can be seen in west garden of Hagia Sophia.

The third Megale Ekklesia was renovated after Nika revolt by best architechts of that time İsidoros and Anthemios by Emperor Justinianos’ order in 537. The third church combined traditional basilical plan and central dome plan. The height of the dome is 55.60meters and the radius is 31.87meters. Best architectural pieces was brought from empires’ all provinces, especially Syrian and anatolian ancient cities for Hagia Sophia. There were used bigger and grander pieces by Emperor Justinianos orders.

Hagia Sophia’s walls were decorated with marbles and mosaics. White marbles came from Marmara island, green marbles from Eğriboz island, pink marbles from Afyon and yellow marbles from north Africa. Hagia Sophia has 104 columns that 40 in the lower and 64 columns in the upper gallery. Marbles have been decorated by mosaics. Mosaics have been made gold, silver, glass, terra cotta and colorful stones.

Hagia Sophia was empire church during Byzantine Empire. The place where the emperors were crowned was on the right side of the central area and was decorated with colorful stones. İstanbul was occupied by Latin and European armies during Holly Crusades(1204 – 1261). At that time city and Hagia Sophia was damaged and plundered. Byzantine Empire took control of the city at 1261 again.

At 1453 Fatih Sultan Mehmed (Ottomans) are conquered the city. Hagia Sophia made after converted to a mosque when the first friday call to prayer was the qonquest. Hagia Sophia was strengthened and protected during Ottoman Empire time. The minarets was designed and appended by Mimar Sinan to the structure. You will see biggest calligraphy panels in Hagia Sophia that written “Allah, Hz. Muhammed, Hz. Ebubekir, Hz. Ömer, Hz. Osman, Hz. Ali, Hz. Hasan ve Hz. Hüseyin”. Those calligraphies are the biggest in İslamic world.

Hagia Sophia was converted as a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk that Turkey Republic period at 1935. These days Hagia Sophia is hosting local and foreign visitors.