View allAll Photos Tagged HAGIA
Hagia Sophia, also called Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom, an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul and one of the world’s great monuments. It was built as a Christian church in the 6th century CE (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again.
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. In its 1,400 year life-span it has served as a cathedral, mosque, a museum and now again a mosque.
"Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire) and the Eastern Orthodox Church, except during the Latin Empire from 1204 to 1261, when it became the city's Latin Catholic cathedral. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935, under the direction of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the secular Republic of Turkey established it as a museum. In 2020 it re-opened as a mosque."
While some of the Christian images have been removed since the building has been reinstituted as a mosque, others have not. Christian churches commonly include human images from bible occurrences but mosques do not, instead using geometric and other patterns and Arabic calligraphy.
Catedral de Santa María de la Sede - Seville Cathedral, August 2018
On 20 May 1506, aged probably 54, Columbus died in Valladolid, Spain. His remains were first interred at Valladolid, then at the monastery of La Cartuja in Seville (southern Spain) by the will of his son Diego Colón, who had been governor of Hispaniola. In 1542, the remains were transferred to Colonial Santo Domingo, in the present-day Dominican Republic. In 1795, when France took over the entire island of Hispaniola, Columbus's remains were moved to Havana, Cuba. After Cuba became independent following the Spanish–American War in 1898, the remains were moved back to Spain, to the Cathedral of Seville, where they were placed on an elaborate catafalque. A catafalque is a decorated wooden framework supporting the coffin of a distinguished person during a funeral or while lying in state.
After its completion in the early 16th century, Seville Cathedral supplanted Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world, a title the Byzantine church had held for nearly a thousand years. The total area occupied by the building is 23,500 square meters. The Gothic section alone has a length of 126 meters, a width of 83 meters and its maximum height in the center of the transept is 37 meters. The total height of the Giralda tower from the ground to the weather vane is 96 meters. Since the world's two largest churches (the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida and St. Peter's Basilica) are not the seats of bishops, Seville Cathedral is still the largest cathedral in the world.
Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya, Greek: Αγία Σοφία; "Holy Wisdom", Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia) is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.
Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest cathedral ever built in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between A.D. 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and was in fact the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site (the previous two had both been destroyed by riots).
It was designed by two architects, Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. The Church contained a large collection of holy relics and featured, among other things, a 50 foot (15 m) silver iconostasis. It was the patriarchal church of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the religious focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly 1000 years.
In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and Sultan Mehmed II ordered the building to be converted into the Ayasofya Mosque. The bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many of the mosaics were eventually plastered over. The Islamic features — such as the mihrab, the minbar, and the four minarets outside — were added over the course of its history under the Ottomans. It remained as a mosque until 1935, when it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey.
The Hagia Sophia (pronounced Aya Sofia, meaning 'holy wisdom') is one of the oldest, and most spectacular buildings in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built as Byzantine Christian cathedral in 537 AD, nearly a thousand years later in 1453 AD, when Constantinople (present day Istanbul) came under Moslem rule it became a mosque. For most of its 1,000 year Christian history, Hagia Sophia was the world's largest cathedral.
In 1935, as part of his great reforms, the Turkish president and national hero, Mustapha Kemal Ataturk, ordered Hagia Sophia to be made into a museum, which it still is today!
Istanbul '17
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Mosque) was built in 537 by the emperor Justinian and served as the chief church of the Byzantine Empire. It was converted into a mosque after the Turkish conquest in 1453, secularized into a museum in 1945, and then reconsecrated as a mosque in 2020.
Hagia Sophia is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum, in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Wiki
Imagen realizada con una cámara compacta Olympus X-3 , C-60Z
Más información en nuestro blog Nelebland
Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Of great artistic value was its decorated interior with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. (Wikipedia)
Hagia Sophia (from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia; Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, and now a museum (Ayasofya Müzesi) in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its construction in 537 until 1453, it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931. It was then secularized and opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.
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. In its 1,400 year life-span it has served as a cathedral, mosque, a museum and now again a mosque.
"Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire) and the Eastern Orthodox Church, except during the Latin Empire from 1204 to 1261, when it became the city's Latin Catholic cathedral. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935, under the direction of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the secular Republic of Turkey established it as a museum. In 2020 it re-opened as a mosque."
While some of the Christian images have been removed since the building has been reinstituted as a mosque, others such as seen here have not.
Hagia Sophia ("Holy Wisdom") is a former Christian patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, and now a museum (Ayasofya Müzesi) in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its construction in 537 until 1453, it served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931. It was then secularized and opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.
Hagia Sophia is mostly known as one of the most valuable and fascinating structures in the world of art and architecture. It deserves to enter to the collection of the rare works by challenging to the time. It is located in Sultanahmet area (a historic place), nearby of Topkapi palace in Istanbul Turkey. Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires. Once a church, later a mosque, and now a museum at the Turkish Republic, Hagia Sophia has always been the valuable of its time.This church was rebuilt three times on the same place. Megale ekklesia meaning big church was named firstly but then it was renamed as Hagia Sophia meaning Holy Wisdom.
Originally a christian church, the Hagia Sophia is one of the oldest remnants of the antique byzantine empire and a marvel of roman architecture and engineering.
Hagia Sophia ("Holy Wisdom") is a former Christian patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, and now a museum (Ayasofya Müzesi) in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its construction in 537 until 1453, it served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931. It was then secularized and opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.
Istanbul '17
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Mosque) was built in 537 by the emperor Justinian and served as the chief church of the Byzantine Empire. It was converted into a mosque after the Turkish conquest in 1453, secularized into a museum in 1945, and then reconsecrated as a mosque in 2020.
The interiors of Hagia Sophia are a real treat for photographers...unfortunately, these days almost half of the left side has been boarded for restoration work..
Avoiding the scaffolding in a frame is an almost impossible task... :(
anyway, its certainly a good thing for the monument, inconvenient as it may be for photographers for some time :)
Istanbul '22
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Mosque) was built in 537 by the emperor Justinian and served as the chief church of the Byzantine Empire. It was converted into a mosque after the Turkish conquest in 1453, secularized into a museum in 1945, and then reconsecrated as a mosque in 2020.
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.
Istanbul, the city of contrasts and beautifully built and decorated historical structures.
This Amazing structure known as Hagia Sophia from 360 until 1453 served as a cathedral ,from then on until 1934 this structure was a mosque when it later on was opened as a museum.
Hagia Sophia ; (Turkish: Ayasofya, from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία "Holy Wisdom") is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and to have "changed the history of architecture". It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 A.D. on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and was in fact the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site (the previous two had both been destroyed by riots).
In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and Sultan Mehmed II ordered the building to be converted into a mosque. The bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many of the mosaics were eventually plastered over. The Islamic features — such as the mihrab, the minbar, and the four minarets outside — were added over the course of its history under the Ottomans. It remained as a mosque until 1935, when it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey.
Hagia Sophia has been a church, mosque and museum since its completion in 537. The current museum is the third Hagia Sophia. It was a Greek Orthodox church until 1453, except from 1204 to 1261 when it was a Roman Catholic church. It became a mosque after the conquest by the Ottoman Turks until 1931, when it was converted into a museum.
NOTE: Hagia Sophia was converted back to a mosque in 2020.
NOTE 2: Major renovations for the Hagia Sophia domes, the first in the last 150 years, were announced in April 2025.
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. In its 1,400 year life-span it has served as a cathedral, mosque, a museum and now again a mosque.
"Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire) and the Eastern Orthodox Church, except during the Latin Empire from 1204 to 1261, when it became the city's Latin Catholic cathedral. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935, under the direction of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the secular Republic of Turkey established it as a museum. In 2020 it re-opened as a mosque."
While some of the Christian images have been removed since the building has been reinstituted as a mosque, others have not. Christian churches commonly include human images from bible occurrences but mosques do not, instead using geometric and other patterns and Arabic calligraphy.
Istanbul '17
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Mosque) was built in 537 by the emperor Justinian and served as the chief church of the Byzantine Empire. It was converted into a mosque after the Turkish conquest in 1453, secularized into a museum in 1945, and then reconsecrated as a mosque in 2020.
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. In its 1,400 year life-span it has served as a cathedral, mosque, a museum and now again a mosque.
"Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire) and the Eastern Orthodox Church, except during the Latin Empire from 1204 to 1261, when it became the city's Latin Catholic cathedral. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935, under the direction of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the secular Republic of Turkey established it as a museum. In 2020 it re-opened as a mosque."
While some of the Christian images have been removed since the building has been reinstituted as a mosque, others have not. Christian churches commonly include human images from bible occurrences but mosques do not, instead using geometric and other patterns and Arabic calligraphy.
The insides of Hagia Sophia or with the local turkish dialect Ayasofia. It was once a Orthodox church and then a mosque and now it is one of the most visited attractions in Turkey. Situated in Istanbul or the former Constantinople city, this magnificent architecture was the epitome of the Byzantine architecture
It was famous because of its humongous dome. Unfortunately i couldn't take pictures of its dome due to the interior of the dome is undergoing restoration and preparation for turkey being the European capital of culture in 2010
Capturing picture in this place was quite challenging since the lighting was very low and the usage of tripod is not allowed to preserve the marble floor. Correct me if im wrong if the floor is not marble. Thanks to the combination of ACR and Smart Objects in CS4, i managed to process this image with a little bit of DRI
Comments and critics are mostly welcomed
Go large is a must!!
Single RAW file
Shot @11.5mm, aperture of f/8.0 with 1/4 exposure with ISO value of 400
Initial tweaks in ACR
Post processing and Adjustments in Photoshop CS4
The Hagia Sophia is one of the architectural wonders of the world. Its construction finished in 537 after a staggering 5 years of building under emperor Justinianus of the (easter) Roman Empire, also known under its name the Byzantine Empire. Its inhabitants would never use this term and always refer to their identity, ethnicity, culture and empire as Roman, no matter their Greek language and Christian Orthodox religion.
Although the construction almost ruined the state coffers at the time, it remained (with intermittant repairs and additions) for a thousand of years the largest, most splendid and spiritual church of the world. With all its marble, gold mosaics and magnificent domes and galeries, visitors could not belief it to be built by mortal hands. But it was here where emperors were crowned, foreign ambassadors were impressed, varangian (viking) guards attended boring masses (hence the ruinic script in some columns), patriarchs refused emperors and excommunicated papal legates, and where people found a last, dreading refugee during times of assault. The Hagia Sophia was intimately connected to the great imperial palace next to it, and it was the centre of religious and political power of the eastern mediterranean and Europe. Its symbological power was so significant, that foreign powers sought to subdue it and incorporate it into their own.
During 1204 and 1261, it was a catholic cathedral after the short lived crusader conquest. The crusaders added the flying butresses for extra support. After the restoration under the Roman Empire by the Palaiologans, it continued to be the celebrated orthodox cathedral until 1453, when Mehmed conquered Constantinople and made it the grand mosque of his new Islamic, Ottoman Empire. Four new minarets were soon added to mark this transformation. The buildings remains a highly contested symbol. Atatürk made of it a museum in the 1930s to recognize its multicultural origin in a new, secular Turkish republic. But it has been reconverted into a mosque since the rightist policies under Erdogan in 2020, emphasizing its price as an Ottoman conquest and unfortunately obscuring its most significant past.