Hagia Sophia

The original church on the site of Hagia Sophia was commissioned by Emperor Constantine I in 325, on the foundations of a pagan temple.

In 330, Constantine the Great moved the capital of the Roman Empire to the old city of Byzantium, renaming it New Rome. The city later became known as Constantinople in his honor, with significant architectural developments and additions made by Constantine.

The first Hagia Sophia was consecrated on 15 February 360 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantius II.

In June 404 AD, the first Hagia Sophia church was largely burnt down during riots.

In 415 AD, the second Hagia Sophia church was inaugurated by Emperor Theodosius II on 10 October.

The name Hagia Sophia was adopted around 430 CE, replacing previous names like Megale Ekklesia. It has various other names in different languages.

Under the reign of Theodisius, the council of Chalcedon in 450 condemned the monophysite heresy, a significant event in the history of Christianity.

During the Nika Revolt in 532 AD, a fire broke out, destroying the second Hagia Sophia.

Emperor Justinian I made the decision to construct a new and distinct basilica after the destruction of the second one in 532 AD.

The Hagia Sophia was rebuilt for the third time in 537 under the rule of Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It is the version of the Hagia Sophia that still stands today.

Emperor Justinian I ordered the rebuilding of the Hagia Sophia after the riots. The new building was inaugurated on December 27, 537.

In 557, both arches and the main dome of Hagia Sophia collapsed due to earthquakes. Isidorus the Young was ordered by Justinian to construct a new, bigger dome, which still stands today.

In 558, the first dome of Hagia Sophia collapsed, leading to its reconstruction in 562 to a greater height. This event highlighted the structural challenges faced by the building.

In 563, Hagia Sophia was reconsecrated by Justinian after the reconstruction of the dome by Isidorus the Young. The church continued to be a significant symbol during this period.

Emperor Leo the Isaurian issued decrees against the worship of images, leading to the destruction of icons within the church by the army in 726.

Under Patriarch Photius, religious images were restored in Hagia Sophia. The first mosaics unveiled included icons on the walls and columns, followed by elaborate mosaics depicting Madonna and Child, archangels, and church fathers.

A mosaic depicting Leo the Wise was added in the narthex of Hagia Sophia. This artwork contributed to the rich visual culture of the church, showcasing the Byzantine artistic tradition.

Armenian architect Trdat was called in to repair damage caused by earthquakes at Hagia Sophia. The Western vault was distorted during the repair work, and new mosaics were added, such as Justinian and Constantine in the Southwest Vestibule.

A mosaic featuring Constantine Monomachos and Zoe was added to the South Gallery of Hagia Sophia. Constantine's lavish spending and financing of daily masses in the church are highlighted.

Mosaics depicting John II, Eirene, and Alexios were added to Hagia Sophia in 1122.

Manuel I Komnenos, known as 'the Great', added the Great Deesis Mosaic to the South Gallery of Hagia Sophia. The mosaic depicted a theological idea about the relationship of Christ to the Trinity through the Eucharistic sacrifice.

During the Fourth Crusade, emperors Isaac II Angelos and Alexios IV Angelos looted Hagia Sophia to pay off the Crusaders, removing gold ornaments and silver oil-lamps.

During the Fourth Crusade, Christian crusaders looted Constantinople, desecrated Hagia Sophia, and committed acts of violence and depravity. They melted down silver fittings of Hagia Sophia and turned the church into a Roman Catholic one.

Following a collapse in the eastern vault and arch of Hagia Sophia, restoration work was undertaken. The Pantokrator mosaic in the dome and other mosaics were restored, including new portraits of significant figures.

In 1453, the Ottomans took control of the region and converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, reflecting the shift in religious dominance from Christianity to Islam.

After the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman forces in 1453, Sultan Muhammad ordered the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. The church was renovated and Sultan attended the first Friday prayer on 1 June 1453, officially marking the conversion.

In 1462, Sultan Mehmet established a charity foundation for the development of Hagia Sophia. He dedicated 14000 gold coins as an annual income for the foundation, bought the land, and entrusted it to the endowment (Waqf).

From 1478 onwards, the Waqf endowments for Hagia Sophia included numerous shops, houses, caravanserais, and other establishments, contributing to the foundation's income.

Sedefkar Mehmed Agha also reconstructed parts of the Hagia Sophia, showcasing his architectural skills and influence in Ottoman architecture.

In 1847, Fossati Brothers started a comprehensive restoration of Hagia Sophia commissioned by Abdulmejid. They uncovered hidden mosaics, which angered the Sultan at first, but later he ordered them to cover the mosaics again.

The last major restoration of Hagia Sophia was ordered by Sultan Abdul Majid I and completed by eight hundred workers under the supervision of Gaspare and Giuseppe Fossati.

During the Balkan Wars in 1912, Hagia Sophia served as a hospital for cholera patients.

In 1931, American archaeologist Thomas Whittemore asked Atatürk's permission to uncover the mosaics of Hagia Sophia. The works on mosaics started in 1932 and lasted for about 15 years.

In 1934, the Turkish government secularized Hagia Sophia, transforming it into a museum. This decision allowed for the preservation and display of the historical and cultural significance of the site.

As a step towards a secular country, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by the order of Atatürk and reopened in 1935.

Procopius, a biographer of Emperor Justinian, described the dome of Hagia Sophia as if it were hovering over the building by divine intervention. This description became part of the church's lore and emphasized the perception of the dome being suspended from heaven.

In 1948, Pierre Iskender conducted a study of light at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. This research focused on the interplay of natural light within the historic structure.

In 1953, Dumbarton Oaks assumed the oversight of the Hagia Sophia project, documenting every facet of the building and its artistic and historical record.

In 1985, the Hagia Sophia was included as a component of the UNESCO World Heritage site called the Historic Areas of Istanbul, along with other major historic buildings and locations in the city.

In 1991, the Turkish government allowed the allocation of a pavilion in the Hagia Sophia museum complex to be used as a prayer room.

In 2014, Pope Francis visited Hagia Sophia after a long time.