Considered the finest example of
Byzantine architecture
in the world, the church of Hagia Sophia was constructed on a scale unprecedented in human history.
What kind of architecture is Hagia Sophia?
Architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus built it in a span of six years. Hagia Sophia combines
a longitudinal basilica and a centralised building in a unique Byzantine way
—with a huge 32-metre main dome supported on pendentives (triangular segment of a spherical surface) and two semi-domes.
Is the Hagia Sophia Roman architecture?
The Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya in Turkish) was originally built as a
basilica
for the Greek Orthodox Christian Church. However, its function has changed several times in the centuries since. Byzantine Emperor Constantius commissioned construction of the first Hagia Sophia in 360 A.D.
Is the Hagia Sophia Islamic architecture?
The Hagia Sophia, Turkey
As a result of the conflicting history, the Hagia Sophia is
a combination of Byzantine and Islamic architecture
. The Islamic characteristics are evident in the minaret, calligraphic roundels (with Islamic text) and a mihrab. Today the building is used as a museum.
What type of building is the Hagia Sophia today?
| Location Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey | Type Byzantine Christian cathedral ( c. 360–1204, 1261–1453) Latin Catholic cathedral (1204–1261) Mosque (1453–1931; 2020–present) Museum (1935–2020) | Material Ashlar, Roman brick | Length 82 m (269 ft) | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
|---|
What makes Hagia Sophia unique?
It is one of the most important Byzantine structures in the world. … Hagia Sophia combines
a longitudinal basilica and a centralised building
in a unique Byzantine way—with a huge 32-metre main dome supported on pendentives (triangular segment of a spherical surface) and two semi-domes.
Is Hagia Sophia the Blue Mosque?
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii), also known as the Blue Mosque, is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. … It sits
next to the Hagia Sophia
, the principal mosque of Istanbul until the Blue Mosque’s construction and another popular tourist site.
What is the new name of Constantinople?
The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne formally established the Republic of Turkey, which moved its capital to Ankara. Old Constantinople, long known informally as
Istanbul
, officially adopted the name in 1930.
What is the meaning of Aya Sophia?
Image credit: Tatiana Popova Shutterstock) The Hagia Sophia, whose name means
“holy wisdom
,” is a domed monument originally built as a cathedral in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in the sixth century A.D.
What are the characteristics of Byzantine architecture?
Byzantine architects were
eclectic
, at first drawing heavily on Roman temple features. Their combination of the basilica and symmetrical central-plan (circular or polygonal) religious structures resulted in the characteristic Byzantine Greek-cross-plan church, with a square central mass and four arms of equal length.
What made the Hagia Sophia an architectural masterpiece?
It was built as a
Cathedral reflecting Christian architectural features
but then after the conquest of the Ottoman Emperor Fatih Sultan Mehmed it was turned to a mosque by adding Islamic features like minaret, a chandelier, mihrab and a minbar without destroying the features of the Christian church.
Who invented Pendentive?
The Romans
were the first to experiment with pendentive domes in the 2nd-3rd century AD. They saw the supporting of a dome over an enclosed square or polygonal space as a particular architectural challenge.
Can you go inside Hagia Sophia?
Visitors are still welcome to Hagia Sophia
, which remains the country’s most popular tourist attraction.
What other names has Istanbul gone by?
The city of Istanbul has been known by a number of different names. The most notable names besides the modern Turkish name are
Byzantium, Constantinople, and Stamboul
.
Can you tour the Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque again with a decision taken in 2020. For this reason, there is no longer a need to buy tickets at the entrance.
Anyone can worship in it or visit it to explore the building
.
