Hagia Sophia / Istanbul
It was an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral from the date of its construction and was the hub of the Patriarch of Constantinople barring the period between 1204 and 1261 when Fourth Crusaders converted it to a Catholic Cathedral under the Latin Empire.
In 1453, the building was transformed into an Ottoman mosque and remained so till 1931. Many relics including bells, altar, iconostasis, mosaics representing Jesus, Mother Mary, Christian saints were removed. Islamic architectural features such as minarets, mihrab, minbar were included. On February 01, 1935, it was opened as a museum after getting secularized.
Byzantine Emperor Justinian I ordered the construction of the building to serve as a church. The structure was designed by the Greek geometers, namely Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. More than ten thousand people were employed, and it was inaugurated on December 27, 537.
Hagia Sophia suffered many damages in its long history due to earthquakes.
Architecture
The interior is adorned with mosaics and marble pillars of great artistic value while the nave is covered with a central dome and the exterior with stucco. The royal gate was the main entrance and was reserved only for the emperor.
Upper Gallery
The upper gallery encloses the nave till the apse and is shaped like a horseshoe. The area was mainly reserved for the Empress, housing many mosaics. It also houses runic inscriptions believed to be engraved by the Varangian Guard.
Dome
The dome of the building attracted the attention of many historians, architects, and engineers due to the innovative way the original architects visualized it. The original dome was damaged during the earthquake of 558 which was replaced by the second one in 563, but, a large portion of the second dome also collapsed.
Loge of the Empress
The center of the upper gallery contains the loge of the Empress. It is from here the Empress and court ladies would watch the proceedings below. The spot where the throne stood is marked by a round green stone.
Lustration Urns
During the rule of Sultan Murad III, two giant marble lustration urns carved from single blocks of marble were brought from Pergamon.
Marble Door
Hagia Sophia contains a marble door located in the southern upper gallery. The attendants at the synods used the door for entering and leaving the meeting.
Many thanks to all those whether you comment, add them as favourites or just take the time to view on my photographs.
I appreciate it very much!
Best viewed in lightbox - please click on the image or press L.
© All rights reserved R.Ertug
Please do not use this image without my explicit written permission.
Hagia Sophia / Istanbul
It was an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral from the date of its construction and was the hub of the Patriarch of Constantinople barring the period between 1204 and 1261 when Fourth Crusaders converted it to a Catholic Cathedral under the Latin Empire.
In 1453, the building was transformed into an Ottoman mosque and remained so till 1931. Many relics including bells, altar, iconostasis, mosaics representing Jesus, Mother Mary, Christian saints were removed. Islamic architectural features such as minarets, mihrab, minbar were included. On February 01, 1935, it was opened as a museum after getting secularized.
Byzantine Emperor Justinian I ordered the construction of the building to serve as a church. The structure was designed by the Greek geometers, namely Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. More than ten thousand people were employed, and it was inaugurated on December 27, 537.
Hagia Sophia suffered many damages in its long history due to earthquakes.
Architecture
The interior is adorned with mosaics and marble pillars of great artistic value while the nave is covered with a central dome and the exterior with stucco. The royal gate was the main entrance and was reserved only for the emperor.
Upper Gallery
The upper gallery encloses the nave till the apse and is shaped like a horseshoe. The area was mainly reserved for the Empress, housing many mosaics. It also houses runic inscriptions believed to be engraved by the Varangian Guard.
Dome
The dome of the building attracted the attention of many historians, architects, and engineers due to the innovative way the original architects visualized it. The original dome was damaged during the earthquake of 558 which was replaced by the second one in 563, but, a large portion of the second dome also collapsed.
Loge of the Empress
The center of the upper gallery contains the loge of the Empress. It is from here the Empress and court ladies would watch the proceedings below. The spot where the throne stood is marked by a round green stone.
Lustration Urns
During the rule of Sultan Murad III, two giant marble lustration urns carved from single blocks of marble were brought from Pergamon.
Marble Door
Hagia Sophia contains a marble door located in the southern upper gallery. The attendants at the synods used the door for entering and leaving the meeting.
Many thanks to all those whether you comment, add them as favourites or just take the time to view on my photographs.
I appreciate it very much!
Best viewed in lightbox - please click on the image or press L.
© All rights reserved R.Ertug
Please do not use this image without my explicit written permission.