When Was Hagia Sophia Built?
The Hagia Sophia standing today was built between 532 and 537 AD under Emperor Justinian I. It was completed in just five years and has stood for almost 1,500 years.
The Short Answer
Construction of the current Hagia Sophia began in February 532 AD and finished in December 537 AD — a remarkably short five years for a building of its size. It was officially consecrated on 27 December 537 AD. This makes Hagia Sophia nearly 1,500 years old, one of the oldest great buildings still standing and in use anywhere in the world.
Key Dates
Construction started
532 AD
23 February
Completed
537 AD
27 December
Build time
~5 years
Exceptionally fast
Age today
~1,490 years
Since 537 AD
A Timeline of Hagia Sophia
The site has carried a place of worship for over 1,600 years. Here are the key moments in its long history.
The first church on the site is inaugurated under Emperor Constantius II. It is later destroyed by fire during riots in 404.
A second, larger church is built by Emperor Theodosius II. It is burned down during the Nika riots of 532.
Emperor Justinian I builds the present Hagia Sophia, designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus.
The original dome partially collapses after earthquakes and is rebuilt higher and stronger by 562 AD.
After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia is converted into a mosque and minarets are added.
The Turkish Republic turns Hagia Sophia into a museum. In 2020 it is reconverted into a working mosque.
How Old Is Hagia Sophia?
Counting from its completion in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia is roughly 1,490 years old. For nearly a thousand years it was the largest cathedral in the world, and it held that record until the completion of Seville Cathedral in 1520. Very few monumental buildings of comparable age remain standing — let alone in active use — making Hagia Sophia one of the most remarkable surviving structures of late antiquity.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hagia Sophia built?
The current Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and consecrated on 27 December 537.
How old is Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia is approximately 1,490 years old, counting from its completion in 537 AD. The site has hosted a church since 360 AD.
How long did it take to build?
The main structure was completed in only about five years (532–537 AD), an extraordinary achievement for a building of its scale.
What year was Hagia Sophia finished?
The building was completed and consecrated in 537 AD, specifically on 27 December 537.
Was Hagia Sophia rebuilt after it was first built?
The structure itself has stood since 537, but the dome partially collapsed after earthquakes and was rebuilt higher by 562 AD. Repairs and reinforcements continued over the centuries.