Hagia Sophia is one of the most beautiful monuments of world architecture. Its history began in 324-327, during the reign of Emperor Constantine. It was then that the first temple was built on the market square, but in 532 it burned down during the uprising. By decree of Emperor Justinian I, a new church was rebuilt in the same place as a symbol of the greatness of the empire and the decoration of the capital as soon as possible (532-537) . For more than ten centuries, Hagia Sophia in Constantinople has been the largest church in the entire Christian world.
And the ambassadors of the Russian prince Vladimir the Red Sun, having been here, informed him: the splendor of this domed basilica of three naves is so great that staying in it is akin to being in paradise. Perhaps this is precisely what prompted Vladimir to baptize Russia in the 10th century.
The temple building is striking in its size and height, which is 55.6 m. The average nave is wide, the side ones are narrower. The basilica is crowned by a huge dome, whose diameter is 31 m. Huge funds were spent on the Hagia Sophia under construction in the sixth century - 320 thousand pounds, which amounted to about 130 (!) Tons of gold. Only the columns brought from the legendary Greek and Roman structures were of great value.
Marble was brought from the temple of Artemis, granite came from the port gymnasium in Ephesus, the porphyry was delivered to the construction site from the Roman Temple of the Sun and the Sanctuary of Apollo. Marble slabs were mined in the oldest quarries, as well as in the bowels of Mount Pentilikon, located 23 km from Athens, famous for the fact that the temple of the goddess Athena was built from its marble . All the luxury that Hagia Sophia possessed was difficult to imagine, however, the fact that gold was melted for the patriarch to make the upper plank of the throne, and then precious sapphires, pearls, topazes, amethysts and rubies were specially thrown into it, says a lot.
Narthexes - a part of the building reserved for preparation for the prayer ritual. You will not see magnificent decor here - coverings from gold and silver disappeared during the Latin invasion. Unique mosaic slabs, as well as columns brought from different places, attract attention.
Ancient reliefs dating from the 12th century, mosaic depictions of Jesus Christ, St. Mary and the Archangel Gabriel, laid out above the imperial door in the 9th century, inspire a special feeling in the soul.
The most talented architects and artists of the time were invited to build the temple. That is why, even today, Hagia Sophia is overwhelming with its significance and beauty. The main space of the church - naos - has special lighting created by many windows and arches. Images of Jesus, angels, portraits of the oldest patriarchs, emperors and empresses, giant posters with Arabic letters - all this creates a unique atmosphere.
Here, every centimeter has its own history, the oldest manuscripts and a unique library are priceless, and galleries are another miracle of architectural mastery. Huge marble balls delivered to the temple in the 16th century from Pergamum itself still adorn the main entrance.
There is one attraction that tourists do not pass by - the Weeping Column. Indeed, in it, according to legend, there is a miraculous hole through which it is enough to draw a finger, draw a circle - and the desired desire will certainly come true. Great and most beautiful building - Hagia Sophia! Constantinople is a happy city whose heart beats within the walls of this magnificent temple.