02
@Glam.Halal
april-may. 2019
tourism
Hagia Sophia
combined the
traditional
design
elements of
an Orthodox
basilica with
a large, domed
roof, and a
semi-domed
altar with two
narthex or
porches.”
The history
of Hagia Sophia
From a symbol of greatness for Christianity,
to the grand beacon for Islam, now a museum
of religious history
H
agia Sophia is one of the
world’s most distinguished
building in the world, origi-
nally a church constructed
by the East Roman Empire
in Istanbul, now a museum
commemorating the history of Christianity
and Islam in Turkey.
The 8th wonder of the world, as it is known
to many, were converted into an imperial
mosque after Mehmed the Conqueror’s army
breached the city walls in 1453 – it served as
pride of place under Ottoman rule for almost
five centuries thereafter. Located in the
neighborhood of Sultanahmet, it is undoubt-
edly one of the most important museums
of Istanbul, and has been named as a World
Heritage site by UNESCO.
The history
In 360 CE, the first church was built in Con-
stantinople by the son of Constantine, Roman
Emperor Constantius II. During a series of
riots, the church took a toll and was burned
down. In 404 CE, a second church was ordered
and erected by Theodosius II. This second
church however, also shared the same fate;
it was burned to the ground over the Nika
Revolt against Emperor Justinian I.
In the wake of the revolt, at the same loca-
tion, the third church, which is the Hagia
Sophia was built under the direction of
Emperor Justinian I between 532 and 537 CE.
Hagia Sophia was built in 5 years, 10 months
and 4 days, at record time. The building of the
church was said to take the work of more than
10,000 men.
Hagia Sophia combined the traditional
design elements of an Orthodox basilica
with a large, domed roof, and a semi-domed
altar with two narthex or porches. Emperor
Justinian decreed that all provinces under
his rule send architectural pieces for use in
its construction in an effort to create a grand