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Turkey Photos 2

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) photo

Hagia Sophia means "Divine Wisdom". In the year 325, Constantine erected the first basilica which was devastated by a fire in 404. In 415 Theodosius II reconstructed the church but it was burnt down again in 532. Later Justinian was set out to rebuild the church. The famous architects Anthemios of Tralles and Isidoros of Miletus were appointed as the master architects. The basilica with a grand dome was completed after 5 years, and was dedicated by Justinian in 537. After 20 years in 557 the dome has collapsed. In 563 Justinian dedicated the church again and during the following years it was restored many times. Right after the conquest of the Turks minarets were added. In 1934 Atatrk had Hagia Sophia converted into a museum.

Hagia Sophia is a domed basilica and consists of a hall with exonarthex and narthex, a central room with three naves and a gallery, and a garden surrounding the building. There are many beautiful mosaics dating back to 9th century A.D. The most magnificent mosaic is in the gallery is the Deesis. It shows Christ flanked by the Virgin and St. John the Baptist.

The Hagia Sophia is the fourth largest basilica following St. Peters in Rome, Duomo in Milan, and St. Pauls in London. The immense dome, which is built of light but strong bricks from Rhodes, is 55.60 meters (166.8 feet) high and 31.50 meters (94.5 feet) in diameter. Each of the pendentives of the main dome have a fresco of a cherubim. In the basement there are four granite columns from Ephesus.