Turkey is traditionally one of the most visited states by tourists. The Turkish Republic - as the country is rightly called - is located mainly in southeastern Europe, and partly in the Middle East. The East, as you know, is a “delicate matter”; it always attracted, or rather, attracted travelers from around the world.
General information
The largest city of the Republic of Turkey is Istanbul, an ancient city, the former capital of the Byzantine, Roman, Ottoman and Latin empires.
Istanbul city: Hagia Sophia - a place worth visiting
Tourists who come here often wonder what of the sights to see. Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia) is an ancient temple, the most interesting to visit. This monument of ancient architecture is located in the historic city center, in an area called Sultanahmet. Previously, it was the center of Constantinople, not far from the imperial palace.
Hagia Sophia Mosque is one of the main attractions of the city of Istanbul (Turkey). As you know, the Byzantine Empire, famous for its high level of culture, was located earlier in the country. Hagia Sophia is translated from Greek as "holy wisdom." Previously, it was the Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral, then the building served as a mosque (Muslim religious structure), and now it is a museum, the status of which the temple received in the first half of the 20th century, more precisely, in 1935.
The Hagia Sophia building was considered the largest Christian church for over a thousand years, right up to the construction of St. Peter's Basilica (Rome, Italy). The height of the cathedral is 55.6 meters, and the diameter of the dome reaches 31 meters.
The history of the construction of the cathedral
Hagia Sophia Cathedral was built in 324 - 337 years on the main market square Augustone under the Emperor Constantine the First (according to some other data - under the Emperor Constantius the Second). At first the temple was Arian ("Arianism" - one of the movements in Christianity, confirming the created nature of the god-son), then it was transferred to Christianity by Emperor Theodosius the First. But the building did not live long. During the popular uprising in 404, the cathedral died in flames. The new temple built in its place also burned down (415 year).
By order of Theodosius, a new basilica was erected in the same place. A basilica is a type of rectangular structure with an odd number of naves (different in height). But this cathedral was destroyed by fire. This happened in 532, but the ruins of this building were found only during excavations in the 20th century on the territory of the cathedral.
After this, the third fire, at the behest of Emperor Justinian, a cathedral was erected, which is now called Hagia Sophia.
The best architects with extensive experience in temple-type buildings were invited to build. These were Anthimius of Thrall and Isidore Meletsky. According to legend, the idea of architects was embodied daily by more than ten thousand workers!
The best materials, marble and columns from ancient buildings (columns from the Temple of the Sun, columns from green marble - from Ephesus) were brought to the capital city of Constantinople. And indeed, the building became the richest and largest temple of the time. This building subsequently turned into the current Hagia Sophia.
History of the cathedral during the Byzantine Empire
In the historical period of the Byzantine kingdom, Hagia Sophia suffered from earthquakes several times, therefore, it was rebuilt and rebuilt. In particular, she received a higher dome. To enhance the stability of the walls, buttresses (columns protruding from them to strengthen the supporting structures) were completed, and this, of course, changed the appearance of the cathedral.
According to legend, the historical division of Christian churches into Catholic and Orthodox is associated with the Hagia Sophia , since it was in this building in July 1054 that Cardinal Humbert handed Mikhail a divorce letter.
Until 1204, one of the shrines of the temple was the famous Shroud of Turin, in which, according to legend, the body of Jesus Christ was wrapped after torment and death.
History after the Ottoman conquest
After the historical conquest of the Ottomans in 1453, the Hagia Sophia had to change religion. It was converted to Islam by attaching four minarets in the corners and turning it into a mosque. As you know, in the Muslim religion, it is important to pray at the ancient temple, Mecca. The Ottomans had to change everything inside the cathedral, the murals were covered with stucco (thanks to which they were preserved through many centuries), and the worshipers were located at an angle relative to the rectangular building.
Further, until the middle of the nineteenth century, the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul did not undergo any reconstruction work. In the XIX century, it was decided to restore the building in connection with the threat of collapse. Soon after the restoration, in 1935, the mosque was turned into a museum, leaving only a small room for Muslim worship.
Architectural features of the mosque
Architecturally, the cathedral is a rectangle that forms four naves (the central one is larger and the side ones are smaller). It is crowned with a domed basilica with a middle cross representing a quadrangle. The building was a masterpiece of the dome system of its time, and the strength of the walls, according to legend, is preserved thanks to the ash leaf extract added to the solution. A complex system of triple arches and columns supports the dome from all sides and thereby strengthens it.
Mosque Attractions
So, the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul is one of the most important attractions. Consider the main relics of this interesting museum.
• Copper-covered “weeping column”, according to legend, fulfills the desires of those who put their hand in the hole and feel the moisture.
• The “cold window” is another natural wonder; even a breeze blows from it even on the hottest and most stuffy day.
• The ancient frescoes depicting Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, preserved under dense layers of plaster, are a magnificent sight.
• In the upper gallery of the temple on the railing you can see graffiti. Many of them were made many hundreds of years ago and are protected by the state (for this they are covered with transparent plastic). These inscriptions - Scandinavian runes - were allegedly scratched on the parapet of the cathedral by warriors in the Middle Ages.
• The mosaics of the cathedral are an interesting example of the monumental art of Byzantium.
• A portrait of Emperor Alexander was taken during his lifetime; a landmark was discovered in 1958 during the restoration of the mosaic.
There are also Muslim shrines in the cathedral, which attract thousands of pilgrims every year. Among them are:
• Minbar (the place from where the imam preaches).
• Lodge of the Sultan (built during restoration by the Fossati brothers).
• Mihrab.
As if emerging from an Eastern fairy tale, the Turkish Holy Wisdom combines seemingly opposite concepts: Orthodoxy and Eastern Islam, two religions, so different, but also in some ways very similar to each other. Outside, the temple seems to be a simple pile of architectural forms of different eras and destinations, but inside you will be amazed by the majesty of the dome and its height, as well as much more.
This is the only building that has survived from the sixth century AD to the present almost unchanged, now it has deservedly become a museum, tired of paying religious debt to different faiths.
Conclusion
If you are lucky enough to visit Istanbul for at least a couple of days, be sure to visit the Hagia Sophia Cathedral. Turkey will sparkle new colors for you thanks to this temple.