Wonders of the World series: Hagia Sophia

2 months ago 25th Jun 15:35

Whether you're religious or not, it would be sinful not to make a stop at the Hagia Sophia during a trip to Turkey's capital.

Translated as The Church of Holy Wisdom, which is found in the stunning city of Istanbul, is also known as the Ayasofya Museum, is universally acknowledged as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world as well as being considered the Eighth Wonder of the World.

A former Eastern Orthodox church was the largest Cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years until it was overtaken by the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The building, which was designed by architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, contained a large collection of holy relics as well as a 15 metre silver iconostasis, which is a portable icon stand which is home to religious paintings and icons.

In 1453, Istanbul was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and Sultan Mehmed II ordered the building to be converted into a mosque. Everything documenting the Church's past was removed (the bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels) and many of the mosaics were plastered over.

The Islamic features - such as the mihrab, the minbar, and the four minarets outside - were added over the course of its history under the Ottomans. It remained as a mosque until 1935, when it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey and thankfully all the plaster which was used to hide the original mosaics was painstakingly removed by expert restorers.

Once you get inside make sure you heard for the vast nave, which is covered by an impressive dome which appears weightless by the 40 arched windows under it, which flood the colourful interior with light.

The dome itself has spurred interest from many art historians and architects as it is supported by pendentives which had never been used before and enables the round dome to transition gracefully into the square shape of the piers below.

The church was richly decorated with mosaics throughout the centuries. They either depicted the Virgin Mother, Jesus, Saints, or emperors and empresses. Other parts were decorated in a purely decorative style with geometric patterns.

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