The Church of Holy Wisdom or the Hagia Sophia or Aya Sophia in Turkish is a former Ottoman church turned mosque, turned museum by Attaturk. It is in Istanbul or Constantinople and most assuredly one of the great buildings of the world.
Sadly nothing remains of the original church built by Constantine the Great, The second church was built by his son Constantinus and Theodosius but that one was burned to the ground during the Nika riots of 532. It was rebuilt in it's present form by Justinian between 532-37 and is one of the greatest examples of Byzantine architecture. It's said that after completion Justinian walked into the building and said, "O Solomon, I have outdone thee!'
In 558 an earthquake took out the dome and it's replacement fell in 563. There were partial collapses again in 989 and 1346. This latest fix seems to have worked. The architecture has influenced Eastern Orthodox and Muslim building and it remained the largest church in the world for over 1000 years until the construction of the Cathedral in Seville, Spain in 1402.
Two views of the building.
In 1204 the crusaders under blind Dodge Dandolo desecrated and attacked Cosntantinople and ousted the Patriarch. This event cemented the great Schism of 1054 and split the Roman and Orthodox churches. It also means that most of the Hagia Sophia's treasures can now be found in St. Mark's, Venice.
Despite this despoiling, the church remained active until May 29,1453 when Sultan Memhet II conquered the city. He was so impressed by the building that he immediately made it his imperial mosque. For 500 years it became the model for mosques throughout the Muslim world.
Although no structural changes were made the mosaics were plastered over, originally just the faces, but later in their entirety, they are still being uncovered today. The main room is entirely painted. except for the apse most of the mosaics can be found on the second floor, they've recently uncovered the seraphim around the dome. There was also the addition of a
mirhab, muezzin and minbar and the removal of the altar. Minarets were added, first in wood then stone.
The side entrance to the building with buttresses.
Vestibule with marvelous marble walls
Detail of the paneling which is bordered with with Wall of Troy moldings
Enormous chandeliers which once held oil lamps
The vaults above the Emperor's door showing a mosaic of Christ Panocrator holding a book saying 'Peace be with you, I am the light of the world'. Poor Leo VI is asking forgiveness for his four marriages. The mosaic dates from about 886-912 AD
The first thing you notice is the vast the space
The dome. Pictures do it no justice. To give you an idea of scale, the Statue of Liberty could stand comfortably within the volume.
Balconies and windows and the tympanum with windows.
The large leather covered wood rondels with name of Allah and Mohamed and the pendentives and semi domes.
Looking at the arches
Looking back at marble clad walls and the Emeperor's door. The vestibule is beyond.
The off center mirhab is where the alter once stood.
The minbar added by Memhet II. I was looking for drinks here, but was told that it is where the imam would stand half way up to give the sermon signifying that God is higher still.
The omphalos. The center of the world. Where the Emperor was crowned.
One of two large vessels stolen from Delphi held oil.
The muezzin where the Koran was read during services
The second floor loggia is where the Empress sat with her ladies.
A view from the section reserved for the Empress to the mezzenine.
Looking from the semi domes.
The lustrous mosaic carpets on the inside of the pendentives.
The deesis mosaic. Christ Panocrator, John the Baptist and Mary. The damage was caused by devout worshipers who wanted to take home a souvenir.
The oldest mosaic is that of the Virgin and Child [867-866] located in the apse. Said to have been made by celebrated painter Lazerus who's hands were burned by Iconoclast Emperor Theophilus.
Repeating arches.
Views from the windows.
The buttresses which allow for windows, not flying yet and very heavy, but they get the job done.
A side entrance.
Two views of the baptistry.
The back of the building
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