Hagia+Sophia

= ** Hagia Sophia ** Istanbul, Turkey =



The Present Hagia Sophia is built on the site of a great church ﻿the Church of Holy Wisdom, also know as the Santa Sophia in Latin. Hagia Sophia stands as a reminder of the lost Byzantine Empire. Hagia Sophia originally served as a christian curch at Constantinople (now Istanbul), later a mosque, and currently a museum.

The first church of Hagia Sophia at constantinople was bulit by Constantine II in 360 AD and in 404 AD it was destroyed by riots. In 415 the church was built and dedicated by Theodosius II. However, in 532 it burned down during the Nikka revolt, this caused vast destruction and death throughout the city. Immediately after the riots Emperor Justinian ordered the church to be rebuilt. Hagia Sophia served as a cathedral from 360 AD-1453. In 1453 it served as a mosque until 1934. In 1934, when it was secularized it opened as a museum. Hagia Sophia is famous particularly for its massive dome, and considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have "changed the history of architecture." 

http://www.hagiasophia.com/ http://www.hagia-sophia.net/ http://www.turizm.net/turkey/history/hagiasophia.html