What is the definition of Hagia Sophia?

Hagia Sophia, meaning 'Holy Wisdom' in Greek (Ἁγία Σοφία), is a historic religious building in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built as a Byzantine Christian cathedral in 537 AD, it was the world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque. It served as a museum from 1934 to 2020 and was reconverted to a mosque in July 2020.

When was Hagia Sophia built?

Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537 AD, commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It took approximately 10,000 workers and was completed in just under 6 years. The architects were Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles.

Why is Hagia Sophia important in world history?

Hagia Sophia is important because it was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly 1,000 years and represented the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture. It influenced Ottoman mosque architecture and remains a symbol of the cultural exchange between East and West. Its innovative dome construction influenced architectural development worldwide.

What are the key facts about Hagia Sophia?

Key facts include: Built in 537 AD, dome height of 55.6 meters, dome diameter of 31.87 meters, contains over 30 million gold mosaic tiles, survived numerous earthquakes, was the world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul.

What happened to Hagia Sophia throughout history?

Hagia Sophia has had a complex history: Built as a cathedral in 537 AD, converted to a mosque in 1453 after the Ottoman conquest, secularized into a museum in 1934 under Atatürk, and reconverted to a mosque in 2020. It has survived fires, earthquakes, and crusader looting throughout its 1,500-year history.

Essential Knowledge

Hagia Sophia Facts

Discover the history, definition, and fascinating facts about one of the world's most remarkable architectural achievements

What is Hagia Sophia? Definition & Meaning

Hagia Sophia (Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, meaning "Holy Wisdom") is a Late Antique place of worship located in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built as a Christian patriarchal cathedral in 537 AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it was the world's largest cathedral and the center of Orthodox Christianity for nearly 1,000 years. Following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed II. The building served as a museum from 1934 to 2020 under the Turkish Republic, and was reconverted into a mosque in July 2020.

Key Facts at a Glance

537 AD

Year Built

Completed in just 5 years

55.6 m

Dome Height

182 feet from ground level

31.87 m

Dome Diameter

104.5 feet wide

10,000+

Workers

Artisans and laborers

30 Million+

Mosaic Tiles

Gold-covered glass tesserae

916 Years

As Largest Cathedral

Until Seville Cathedral (1520)

History of Hagia Sophia

Byzantine Era (537-1453)

The Great Cathedral

Emperor Justinian I commissioned the construction of Hagia Sophia after the previous church was destroyed during the Nika riots of 532 AD. The architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles created an architectural masterpiece that would influence religious architecture for centuries. Upon its completion, Justinian reportedly exclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!"

Ottoman Era (1453-1934)

Imperial Mosque

After Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, Hagia Sophia was immediately converted into a mosque. The Ottomans added minarets, a mihrab, minbar, and covered or plastered over many Byzantine mosaics. Sultan Abdülmecid I commissioned the Swiss-Italian Fossati brothers to restore the building in 1847-1849, during which many mosaics were rediscovered.

Museum Period (1934-2020)

Secular Monument

As part of Atatürk's secularization reforms, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1934. The covered mosaics were restored and displayed alongside Islamic calligraphy, representing the building's dual heritage. It became one of Turkey's most visited tourist attractions and a symbol of cultural coexistence.

Modern Era (2020-Present)

Active Mosque

In July 2020, a Turkish court annulled the 1934 decree, and President Erdoğan declared Hagia Sophia would reopen as a mosque. It remains open to visitors outside of prayer times, continuing to serve as a bridge between cultures and faiths.

Architectural Marvel

Revolutionary Dome Design

The pendentive dome of Hagia Sophia was an engineering breakthrough. The circular dome sits on a square base through the use of four triangular pendentives, allowing natural light to flood the interior through 40 windows at the dome's base.

Massive Columns

104 columns support the structure, with 40 in the lower gallery and 64 in the upper gallery. Many columns were salvaged from ancient temples, including eight green columns from the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.

Golden Mosaics

The interior was originally covered with over 30 million gold mosaic tiles, creating a shimmering effect that earned it the description of "heaven on earth" from medieval visitors.

Hagia Sophia in World History

Hagia Sophia's significance in world history cannot be overstated. It served as the model for Ottoman mosque architecture, directly influencing the design of the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, and countless others. Its innovative dome construction techniques spread throughout the Mediterranean world and influenced the development of Renaissance architecture in Europe. The building has witnessed coronations of Byzantine emperors, the Fourth Crusade's sacking of Constantinople, and the Ottoman conquest - making it a living chronicle of human civilization.

Plan Your Visit

Experience the wonder of Hagia Sophia in person. As an active mosque, entry is free, but visitors should respect prayer times and dress modestly.

Visit Information