Hagia Sophia Facts

• Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom" in Greek and was originally built as a cathedral in the Byzantine Empire. It was later converted into a mosque and then a museum.
• One of the interesting facts about Hagia Sophia is, that the construction of Hagia Sophia was completed in just five years, from 532 to 537, under the direction of architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus.
• The dome of Hagia Sophia is 55.6 meters high and has a diameter of 31.8 meters, making it one of the largest in the world at the time of its construction.
• The building has survived several earthquakes over the centuries, including a major one in 557 that caused significant damage to the dome. It was later rebuilt and reinforced with additional buttresses, it is one of the least known interesting facts about Hagia Sophia.
• Hagia Sophia was considered the most important church in the Christian world for nearly a millennium, until the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
• When Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque, Islamic features were added, including mihrabs and minarets. The Christian mosaics were covered with plaster or removed entirely.
• In 1935, the Turkish government turned Hagia Sophia into a museum, which allowed visitors of all religions to appreciate its historical and cultural significance.
• Hagia Sophia facts include, In 2020, the Turkish government controversially converted Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, sparking debate and protests from people around the world who viewed it as a symbol of religious tolerance and cultural heritage.

Checkout: Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace Combo Tour

• Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century AD as a cathedral in Constantinople (now Istanbul), Turkey, during the Byzantine Empire.
• The original building was constructed in just five years under the orders of Emperor Justinian I, and it was designed to be the largest cathedral in the world at the time.
• Hagia Sophia served as the principal church of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly a thousand years, until the city was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
• After the conquest, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque and underwent significant renovations, including the addition of minarets, the removal of Christian imagery, and the installation of Islamic features.
• The building served as a mosque for nearly 500 years, until it was closed in 1931 and subsequently reopened as a museum by the Turkish government in 1935.
• The structure's impressive size, grand dome, and intricate mosaics have made it a popular tourist destination and an iconic symbol of Istanbul's cultural heritage.
• In 2020, Hagia Sophia was once again converted into a mosque by the Turkish government, sparking controversy and debate over its historical and religious significance.

Know More: Hagia Sophia History