Hagia Sophia: Through the ages

Summary

The Hagia Sophia, originally built in 537 as a church by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, has undergone numerous transformations throughout history. After being converted into a mosque by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1453, it remained a mosque until 1935, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk turned it into a museum. In recent years, there have been calls to restore its mosque status, and the Turkish court has decided to allow prayers again, while still permitting visitors. The Hagia Sophia’s rich history reflects its diverse religious and cultural significance, making it a central symbol of both Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aya Sophia, located on a hill overlooking the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus, has gone through several transformations since its construction in 537 AD.
• 😀 The original Aya Sophia, commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Constantius II in 360, was destroyed in riots, and a second version was built by Theodosius II in 415 but also destroyed during the Nika revolt in 532.
• 😀 The current Aya Sophia, constructed in 537 during Emperor Justinian I's reign, was the largest church in the world for nearly a thousand years.
• 😀 After the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II repurposed the building into a mosque, adding Islamic features like minarets and a mihrab.
• 😀 Aya Sophia remained the principal mosque in Istanbul until 1616 when the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) was completed.
• 😀 In 1931, Thomas Whitmore obtained permission from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to remove the plaster covering Byzantine mosaics, transforming the structure into a museum.
• 😀 Atatürk's conversion of Aya Sophia into a museum was officially decided in 1935, although discussions about it began in 1923 with the founding of the Turkish Republic.
• 😀 Aya Sophia became a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been a major tourist attraction, with 3.8 million visitors in 2019.
• 😀 In recent years, there have been calls to convert Aya Sophia back into a mosque, reflecting its Islamic history and Ottoman legacy.
• 😀 A Turkish court decision in 2020 allowed for the resumption of prayers at Aya Sophia, while still allowing it to remain open for visitors.
• 😀 Turkish President Erdogan emphasized that the building's conversion to a mosque by the Ottomans preserved its historical, cultural, and sentimental value, noting the 435 churches and synagogues in Turkey where other faiths can also pray.

Q & A

What significant event took place in 537 regarding the Hagia Sophia?

In 537, the current Hagia Sophia was completed during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It became the largest church of its time and remained the largest for nearly a thousand years.

What were the transformations that the Hagia Sophia underwent throughout history?

The Hagia Sophia has been transformed several times, starting as a church built by Emperor Constantius II in 360, then rebuilt by Emperor Theodosius II in 415. After being destroyed twice, the current structure was built in 537. It later became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and was converted into a museum in 1935 before being reverted to a mosque again in recent years.

How did Emperor Justinian I react after the completion of Hagia Sophia?

According to oral tradition, after the completion of Hagia Sophia, Emperor Justinian I exclaimed, 'Solomon, I have surpassed you,' referring to the First Temple built by King Solomon, emphasizing the grandiosity of the new structure.

What major event led to the Hagia Sophia becoming a mosque?

After the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, he converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque. He added Islamic features, including minarets and a mihrab, and covered the Christian mosaics with plaster.

When was the Hagia Sophia converted into a museum, and who was responsible for this decision?

The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935 after the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, authorized the removal of plaster covering the mosaics, transforming it into a museum.

What significant event occurred in 1931 related to the Hagia Sophia?

In 1931, Thomas Whitmore, the founder of the Byzantine Institute of America, received permission from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to oversee the removal of plaster that covered the Hagia Sophia's Byzantine mosaics, marking a key step in its transformation into a museum.

What is the current status of Hagia Sophia regarding prayer and tourism?

The Hagia Sophia has recently been reconverted into a mosque where prayers can now take place, while still remaining open for visitors as a historical site.

Why did some Turkish historians claim Atatürk considered converting Hagia Sophia into a museum earlier than 1935?

Some Turkish historians argue that Atatürk had considered converting Hagia Sophia into a museum as early as 1923, the year the Turkish Republic was founded, but it was not officially done until 1935.

What cultural and historical significance does Hagia Sophia hold for Turkey?

Hagia Sophia is one of Turkey’s most significant landmarks, both historically and culturally. It symbolizes the country’s diverse religious history, with its transformation from a Christian church to a mosque and later a museum, reflecting the blending of Byzantine and Ottoman influences.

What recent developments have led to the resumption of prayers in Hagia Sophia?

Recent court hearings led to the decision to allow prayers to resume at Hagia Sophia, paving the way for it to function as a mosque once again. This decision was backed by President Erdoğan, who emphasized its historical and cultural significance.