Hagia Sophia History: Explore and Learn About This Monument

The Hagia Sophia And Its Brief History

Hagia Sophia, meaning “Holy Wisdom” in English, is one of Turkey's most visited and worshipped places. The Hagia Sophia's history dates back to the 6th century when it was constructed for the very first time. Upon its completion, it served the purpose of an orthodox Christian church. The monument is the most visited place in Turkey and a significant tourist attraction. The Hagia Sophia went through multiple bouts of construction, but the present-day structure was completed in 537 CE.

Historical facts about Hagia Sophia contain information about its transformation from being a church to the present-day mosque. In 1934, the first president of the Turkish Republic, President Kemal, declared Hagia Sophia a secular structure. Since then, it has served as a museum and a historical representation of Turkey. Later in the year 1985, UNESCO declared Hagia Sophia a “World Heritage Site.”

As a result, Hagia Sophia has always been on the list of every tourist visiting Turkey, and its grand Christian-style structure attracts many visitors. In 2020, the status of Hagia Sophia as a museum was struck, and President Erdogan’s order declared a mosque for regular worship.

The Hagia Sophia: A Journey Through Time

The cumulative timeline of the Hagia Sophia history is of around 1500 years, and during this period, it suffered multiple attacks and went into the hands of various empires.
During those 1500 years, it was used by both - Christians and Muslims as a place of worship, and it changed accordingly.
The first structure was erected in the year 360 CE, and was developed on the lines of a Greek Orthodox church. But unfortunately, it was burnt down in 404 CE during political riots.
From the multiple sources for Hagia Sophia facts, in the year 415 CE, the city came under the rule of the Roman Empire.
The Roman Emperor finally ordered the reconstruction of Hagia Sophia, and thus, after its second round of construction, it was ready in 415 CE.
Again, it was unfortunate when it burned down to the ground during the Nika Riots.
The historical facts about the Hagia Sophia tell us that the present-day structure of the Hagia Sophia was reconstructed in the year 537 CE. This time also, it was developed as any other orthodox Christian Church.
In 1453, Turkey came under the control of the Ottoman Empire, and Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II took over the reign of the whole city.
He renamed the city to the present day “Istanbul” and ordered the renovation of Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia was redeveloped as an imperial mosque.
Later, in the 20th century, President Kemal declared Hagia Sophia a secular structure and was developed as a museum.
In 1985, UNESCO accorded it the title of “World Heritage Site” along with other sites in the city.
Until 2020, it was a historical museum when President Erdogan, the current president, declared it a mosque. Since then, it has again become a place of worship.

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Hagia Sophia History Over the Centuries

Hagia Sophia Church

The east Roman Empire and the development of this place as a church is an essential part of Hagia Sophia's history.
In its early days, it has been an essential place of worship for Christians.
It was known as “Magna Ecclesia” (the Great Church), mainly because of its vast structure.
During its period as a Hagia Sophia Church, it suffered huge losses and destruction during the year 404 C.E. and 532 C.E.
Every part of the Byzantine Empire had played an essential role in completing its construction.
10,000 workers were involved in the construction of Hagia Sophia’s dome.

Hagia Sophia Mosque

Hagia Sophia was converted into an imperial Hagia Sophia mosque during the invasion of the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
The Islamic Friday Prayers from the Hagia Sophia marked its transformation into a mosque.
Hagia Sophia Facts in multiple books mention Christian Relics being taken down. Instead, they were replaced with Islamic emblems and symbols.
The fundamental structure went under multiple transformations to make it a mosque.
Typical Islamic facilities like minarets were installed around the original Hagia Sophia.
Hagia Sophia remained as a mosque until 1934 when the first president of Turkey declared it a secular structure.

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Hagia Sophia Museum

The Hagia Sophia has witnessed the rise and fall of many empires for 15,00 years.
Interestingly, the Hagia Sophia has been built along fault lines, and thus it is prone to earthquakes. For the very same reason, it has suffered damages over the years.
The transition from a Christian place of worship to a pivotal position in Islamic culture, there has been an array of historical facts about Hagia Sophia.
In 1935, when President Kemal declared Hagia Sophia a secular structure, it was converted into a Hagia Sophia museum.
Also, it was declared a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” in 1985.

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Interesting Facts About the Hagia Sophia History

The literal meaning of Hagia Sophia means the “Shrine of the Holy God,” whereas the word Sophia means “Wisdom” in the Greek Language.
Hagia Sophia was the “Magna Ecclesia” (the Great Church). It was named so because of its grand structure.
According to multiple accounts of Hagia Sophia history, it was earlier developed as a Greek Orthodox history.
The present structure of the Hagia Sophia isn’t the original one that was earlier developed in the 6th century.
The first phase of construction was completed in the year 360 CE by the contribution of the East Roman Empire.
The first structure was destroyed in 404 CE during political riots.
The second phase of construction was initiated later in 415 CE. But unfortunately, it was also burnt down to the ground in 532 CE.
In 1453, the Ottoman Empire took over the reins of Turkey, and change came in the Hagia Sophia history.
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II ordered the transformation of the Hagia Sophia into an imperial mosque.
More than 10 thousand workers were involved in the construction of the dome.
Hagia Sophia’s dome is the second largest dome in the world, the first being the dome of the Pantheon, Rome.
The combined history of Hagia Sophia is a whopping 1500 years old!
In 1935, President Kamel had declared Hagia Sophia a secular site.
Hagia Sophia was awarded the “UNESCO World Heritage Site” title in 1985.
Hagia Sophia was converted back into a mosque from a museum in the year 2020 by order of President Erdogan.\

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