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Aya Sophia was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest
enclosed space in the world, and still seen as one of the
world’s most important architectural monuments. It is one of
Turkey’s most popular attractions, drawn by the sheer
spectacle of its size, architecture, mosaics and art. For
916 years it was a church, then a mosque for 481 years, and
since 1935 has been a museum. Thought to have been
constructed by Emperor Konstantinos I (324 – 337) it was
burned down during a revolt.
Rebuilt by Emperor Theodosium II, it was opened for worship
415 and once again was burned to the ground, during the Nika
revolts of 532. Emperor Iustanianus (527 – 565) wanted to
construct something even bigger than the original two and
appointed architects Isidoros from Miletos, and Anthemios
from Tralles to build the Aya Sophia which still stands.
Columns, heads, marble and coloured stones were imported to
Istanbul from ancient cities in Anatolia for the purpose.
The construction began on 23 December 532, and was completed
exactly five years later. The main, central section measured
100m x 70m, covered with a 55m high dome which was a mammoth
30m in diameter – appearing to be a great feat of design.
The mosaics are of great importance, and the oldest ones are
dominated by geometric and plant motifs decorated with gold.
The worst desecration of the church was in 1204, ransacked
by Catholic soldiers during the Fourth Crusade. In 1453,
after a failure of the Byzantine Church to fend off the
Turks, Mehmet the Conqueror captured the city, rode into Aya
Sofia and immediately turned it into a mosque. It was
repaired several times, and Islamic ornamentation added, for
example an extract of the Koran by calligrapher Izzet Efendi
inscribed on the dome. The other reminders of its previous
status as a mosque include huge wooden plaques bearing the
names of Allah, the Prophet Mohammed and the first four
caliphs. The marble and mosaics remain the most interesting
aspects today. The columns supporting the gallery are made
from antique marble, and in the western gallery is the green
marble which marks the position of the throne of the Empress.
The impressive figurative mosaics include Virgin and Child
flanked by two emperors, dating back to the late 10th
century, and one depicting Christ, the Virgin, and St John
the Baptists. Even though there is partial damage, the
haunting images on their faces remain as strong as ever.
St Sophia is Open
every day except (Monday's)
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