up to 3.5 million each year
People did not live in Hagia Sophia, it was a church.
he didn't Justinian built the Hagia Sophia
3
length 269 feet width 240 feet height 180 feet
Sophia is the name of a common female first name used in many countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, Italy, and Russia. Therefore, it is not tied to a specific country.
After the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453, they converted the Hagia Sophia, originally a Christian cathedral, into a mosque. They made several modifications, including the addition of minarets, a mihrab, and a minbar, while also preserving many of its Christian mosaics and architectural features. In 1935, the building was secularized and turned into a museum, but in 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque by the Turkish government.
It was used as a palace and a church. Later it was used as a mosque. Currently it is a museum open to the public.
The Hagia Sophia was originally constructed as a cathedral in 537 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. It underwent significant modifications and restorations over the centuries, particularly after being damaged by earthquakes. In 1453, after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque. Today, it serves as a museum and a mosque, reflecting its rich and diverse history, but it has only been built once as a structure.
Justinian I was famous for the uniform rewriting of the Roman law, which is still the basis of modern civil law in many countries. He was also famous for his building masterpieces, such as Hagia Sophia.
The greatest architectural landmark of Byzantine Constantinople was the Hagia Sophia. Completed in 537 AD under Emperor Justinian I, it was originally constructed as a cathedral and is renowned for its massive dome and stunning mosaics. The Hagia Sophia exemplifies the heights of Byzantine architecture and engineering, influencing many subsequent structures in both the Christian and Islamic worlds. Today, it stands as a museum and a symbol of the rich history of the city.
In 1453, the city Constantinople, which the cathedral of Hagia Sophia was located in, was under siege by Sultan Mehmed, a group of Islamic people, who wanted to turn the at present Christian city to the their faith. After the city's defenses were out of the way, and the rest of the city destroyed and pillaged, the Sultans came to Hagia Sophia, battered down the doors and began to pillage all the valuable treasures and took or killed those who were worshiping there or those who were unable to fight, such as elders and women and children. Instead of destroying the cathedral, the Sultans used it as their place to perform their Islamic rituals. For years they would dwell and rule the city of Constantinople. However, after years of ownership by the Sultans, who remodeled it to appear Islamic and added new rooms for more purposes, architects came in, remodeled, updated lighting, replastered walls, ornamented the ceilings, and, in 1935, the founder of the Republic of Turkey and the first Turkish president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, transformed it into a spectacular museum. Today the cathedral of Hagia Sophia is visited by hundreds to marvel at its many splendors and amazing architecture.
The conglomeration of the buildings of the Hagia Sophia seems to rise in the shape of a large dome, which is a defining feature of its architecture. This central dome is flanked by semi-domes and supported by large arches, creating an impression of upward movement and grandeur. The overall design conveys a sense of harmony and balance, blending Byzantine architectural elements with later additions. The result is an iconic silhouette that has influenced many religious structures throughout history.