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Experiencing Hagia Sophia Today

 Byzantine Wonder of Istanbul

Experiencing Hagia Sophia Today

The Vision of an Empire: Justinian’s Triumph

Hagia Sophia in the Present Day

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hagia Sophia was reconverted into a mosque. Today, the lower floor serves exclusively as a place of worship, while the upper gallery is open to visitors. The entrance fee for the visitor section is 25 euros. Muslim tourists can enter the lower level free of charge during prayer times to perform their religious duties.

In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian I (527-565 CE) sought to create a monument that would eclipse all others. Rising from the ashes of an earlier basilica destroyed during the Nika riots of 532 CE, Hagia Sophia became the crowning glory of Byzantine architecture. Designed by the mathematicians Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, it was an unprecedented feat of engineering.

At its consecration in 537 CE, legend holds that Justinian, overwhelmed by its grandeur, declared, “Glory to God that I have been judged worthy of such a work. Oh Solomon! I have outdone you!” The building’s defining feature—the massive dome—soared 55 meters above the ground, spanning an extraordinary 30 meters in diameter. The illusion of the dome floating on light was achieved through a revolutionary system of 40 concealed ribs and windows at its base, allowing natural light to pour in, creating an ethereal glow that Byzantines interpreted as divine presence.

However, the structure’s ambitious design was also its greatest vulnerability. In 559, just 22 years after its completion, an earthquake caused the original dome to collapse. A reconstruction led by Isidore the Younger strengthened the structure, giving it the iconic form we see today. Over the centuries, successive Byzantine emperors and later Ottoman sultans reinforced it with buttresses and supports, ensuring its survival against time and nature.

A Treasury of Byzantine Mosaics

Hagia Sophia’s walls hold some of the finest surviving examples of Byzantine mosaic artistry, spanning centuries of religious and imperial iconography.

• The Imperial Door Pantocrator greets visitors at the entrance to the main sanctuary, depicting Christ as the divine ruler of all.

• The Deesis Mosaic (14th century) in the southern gallery is a masterpiece of Byzantine realism, portraying a solemn Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist, embodying the emotional depth of late Byzantine art.

• The Leo VI Mosaic above the Imperial Door captures Emperor Leo VI (886-912 CE) bowing in proskynesis before Christ, a visual representation of imperial humility before divine authority.

• The Vestibule Mosaic in the southwestern entrance portrays the Virgin Mary enthroned with Christ, while Justinian presents her with Hagia Sophia and Constantine offers her Constantinople itself.

• The Empress Zoe Mosaic (1028-1050 CE) in the southern gallery tells a tale of royal intrigue, as Zoe altered the mosaic with each of her three marriages, updating the portrait of her consort accordingly.

• The Madonna and Child Mosaic above the exit door features Constantine the Great and Justinian presenting the city and the church, emphasizing the divine legitimacy of imperial rule.

Though some mosaics were later covered during the Ottoman period, many were rediscovered during 20th-century restorations, revealing layers of artistic and religious evolution within the structure.

The Transformation: From Cathedral to Mosque

Hagia Sophia’s identity underwent a dramatic transformation in 1453, when Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople and converted the cathedral into an imperial mosque. This marked the beginning of its Ottoman chapter, blending Byzantine and Islamic architectural elements. Minarets were erected, a mihrab and minbar were installed, and Quranic inscriptions adorned the walls. While some mosaics were covered in accordance with Islamic tradition, others were left visible, reflecting a nuanced approach to the building’s past.

The Ottomans also introduced new features, such as the Hünkar Mahfili, a screened royal prayer loge added by Sultan Ahmet II (1703-1730), allowing the sultan to worship in seclusion while maintaining his presence within the sacred space.

A Secular Symbol: The Museum Era

In 1935, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, transformed Hagia Sophia into a museum, symbolizing the nation’s embrace of secularism. This decision allowed for extensive restoration work that uncovered Byzantine mosaics hidden for centuries while preserving Islamic features, presenting Hagia Sophia as a cultural and historical bridge between civilizations.

Walking into Hagia Sophia today is stepping into a living history. The vast nave, illuminated by streams of natural light, creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere. Once adorned with 30 million gold tesserae, the remaining mosaics still shimmer, offering a glimpse into Byzantine artistic splendor. The dome’s unique acoustic properties cause sounds to reverberate for nearly ten seconds, enhancing the mystical experience of this sacred space.

Whether seen as a church, mosque, museum, or architectural wonder, Hagia Sophia embodies the confluence of civilizations—Byzantine and Ottoman, Christian and Islamic—a testament to Istanbul’s enduring legacy as the crossroads of the world.

Fri, Mar 7, 2025 3:38 PM

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