Travel-World Photography
Hagia Sophia, also called Church of the Holy Wisdom, an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul and one of the world’s great monuments. It was built as a Christian church during 532–537 under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Constantine I. After a fire in 532, it was rebuilt. It only took 6 years to make this huge structure: 82 m long, 73 m wide, and 55 m up to the tom of the dome. Today, the Hagia Sophia is the fourth largest cathedral in the world.
In subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again. The building reflects the religious changes that have played out in the region over the centuries, with the minarets and inscriptions of Islam as well as the lavish mosaics of Christianity. During the Muslim period, 4 minarets were added.
The church/mosque is filled with Byzantine mosaic, and Christian symbols that were partially destroyed coming the Muslim period. Nevertheless, the building as it now stands, is really Well worth a visit!
