It was built in 537 as the Greek Orthodox patriarchal cathedral, later becoming a Roman Catholic cathedral, then a Sunni mosque, then a museum. Mosaic from Hagia Sophia, 9th century. OXFORD, England (CNS) — Catholic bishops in Turkey pledged not to contest plans to turn Istanbul’s ancient Hagia Sophia cathedral that now serves as a museum into a Muslim place of worship. Since then, mosaics were added throughout the Byzantine period, structural modifications were made in both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, and features important to the Islamic architectural tradition were constructed during Ottoman ownership of the structure. Later modifications included the construction of more minarets, the whitewashing of Christian mosaics, and the addition of structural supports. 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. The ancient cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul – the former seat of eastern Christianity – could now be dedicated to use as a mosque after Turkey’s high court on Friday ruled its conversion into a museum in 1934 was unlawful. The first of the three Christian structures to be built on the site had another name altogether: Megale Ekklesia, or “Great Church.”. The restored building was rededicated in 415 by Theodosius II. The structure originally erected on the site of the Hagia Sophia was a Christian cathedral called the Megale Ekklesia, which was commissioned by the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine I. The walls above the galleries and the base of the dome are pierced by windows, which in the glare of daylight obscure the supports and give the impression that the canopy floats on air. Night view of the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. It is located in heart of old Istanbul, next to the Blue Mosque in the Sultan Ahmet Square (Sultanahmet Meydani) Istanbul. In 1935, Hagia Sophia acquired the status of museum. now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Either he or his son Bayezid II erected the red minaret that stands on the southeast corner of the structure. 5. The picture above shows the actual view of ST.SOPHIA CHURCH MUSEUM (Ayasofya Muzesi) in Istanbul today. His son, Constantius II, consecrated it in 360. Omissions? For nearly a thousand years, until the cathedral of Seville supplanted it in 1520, Hagia Sophia was the world’s largest Christian church. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again. It was built as a Christian church in the 6th century ce (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In a very brief, improvised remark, Pope Francis, speaking from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, said he is “deeply pained” over the decision by Turkey to change the status of Hagia Sophia, which had originally been built as a Christian cathedral, from that of a museum in Istanbul to a mosque. Download this Premium Photo about St. sophia cathedral , istanbul, turkey, and discover more than 7 Million Professional Stock Photos on Freepik And it is said that Glee recently left for Heaven. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Hagia Sophia, Turkish Ayasofya, Latin Sancta Sophia, also called Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom, an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul and one of the world’s great monuments. The colossal Santa Sophia cathedral, an iconic structure that now attracts visitors from the world over, was turned from a place of Christian worship … σία, Megálē Ekklēsíā, 'Great Church'), because of its larger dimensions in comparison to the contemporary churches in the city. The Turkish secular government in 1934 decided to make it a museum. It would remain a mosque until being converted into a museum in the 1930s. It was restored again in the mid-14th century. Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a Byzantine cathedral before being converted into a mosque and is now a museum in Turkey's capital Istanbul. For almost a millennium after its construction, it was the largest cathedral in all of Christendom. Bringing the structure in line with the Islamic tradition called for a series of other modifications, not all of which were undertaken during the reign of Mehmed II. 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