It's a church. It's a mosque. It's Hagia Sophia. - Kelly Wall

Summary

The Hagia Sophia, a monument of diverse cultural and religious history, stands at the crossroads of continents. Built initially as a grand church in the Byzantine era, it has endured fires, earthquakes, and invasions, transforming from a Greek church to a Roman Catholic church, then an Ottoman mosque, and finally a museum. Its architecture and art reflect its multifaceted past, with echoes of Egypt, Syria, Viking carvings, and Byzantine mosaics. Today, the Hagia Sophia's rich history continues to resonate, highlighting the complexities of preserving such a storied structure.

Takeaways

• 📜 If walls could talk, Hagia Sophia would have many fascinating stories from its diverse history.
• 🌍 Hagia Sophia stands at the crossroads of continents and cultures, witnessing many changes in the city and its own structure.
• 🏛️ The site has been significant since it was Byzantium, founded by Greek colonists in 657 BCE, and later named Constantinople.
• 🔥 The first great church, Megale Ekklesia, was built in the fourth century but was burned down in riots.
• 💥 The second church, built in 415 CE, was destroyed during the Nika Riots of 532.
• 🏗️ Emperor Justinian I rebuilt the church on a grand scale, completing it in 537 CE with contributions from Egypt and Syria.
• 🏔️ The grand dome represents the heavens, but its reinforcing columns remind of its fragility and the engineering marvel it is.
• 🎨 Mosaics from later centuries depict Biblical themes and Byzantine emperors, though some were damaged or looted during the Fourth Crusade.
• ⛪ The building spent 57 years as a Roman Catholic church before returning to its Orthodox roots and later becoming a mosque after the Ottoman conquest.
• 🕌 Sultan Mehmed II rededicated Hagia Sophia as a mosque, and it remained so until 1935 when it was secularized and turned into a museum.

Q & A

What does the phrase 'if walls could talk' suggest in the context of the Hagia Sophia?

The phrase 'if walls could talk' suggests that the Hagia Sophia has a rich and complex history with many fascinating stories from different eras and cultures embedded in its structure.

What strategic significance does the Hagia Sophia's location hold?

The Hagia Sophia is located at the crossroads of continents and cultures, in a city with strategic importance that has seen many changes in name and control, from Byzantium to Constantinople to Istanbul.

What was the first religious structure built on the site of the Hagia Sophia?

The first religious structure built on the site was the Megale Ekklesia, or great church, in the fourth century.

Why was the Hagia Sophia rebuilt by Emperor Justinian the First?

Emperor Justinian the First rebuilt the Hagia Sophia after it was destroyed during the Nika Riots in 532 CE. He wanted to construct it on a grander scale to showcase his power and authority.

What do the columns taken from the Temple of Artemis signify?

The columns taken from the Temple of Artemis signify the ancient past and the connection of the Hagia Sophia to earlier civilizations and religious practices.

What historical event is marked by the tomb inscription of Enrico Dandolo?

The tomb inscription of Enrico Dandolo marks the Fourth Crusade and the Latin Occupation, during which the Hagia Sophia was desecrated, looted, and temporarily converted into a Roman Catholic church.

What changes did Sultan Mehmed the Second make to the Hagia Sophia after the Ottoman conquest?

Sultan Mehmed the Second rededicated the Hagia Sophia to Allah, transforming it into an imperial mosque. He also added four minarets over the next century for architectural support and religious purposes.

What transformation did the Hagia Sophia undergo in 1935?

In 1935, the Hagia Sophia was secularized and converted into a museum by Kemal Ataturk, the first president of Turkey. This allowed for the removal of carpets and plaster that had hidden the original Christian mosaics and marble floor decorations.

What ongoing conflicts surround the Hagia Sophia today?

Ongoing conflicts involve the hidden Christian mosaics beneath Islamic calligraphy, as well as calls from both Muslim and Christian communities to return the building to its former religious purposes. This represents a tension between preserving historical elements and religious heritage.

What is the symbolic significance of the grand dome in the Hagia Sophia?

The grand dome of the Hagia Sophia symbolizes the heavens, with its impressive height, diameter, and ring of windows creating an illusion of being suspended from heaven. It represents both architectural marvel and the divine.