ST. SOPHIA
"AYA SOPYA" - "HAGIA SOPHIA"
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Hagia Sophia of Theodosius was burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. during the reign of Justinian. The same year Justinian ordered to build a new basilica, the one we can see today, and only five years later, 537 A.D., it was opened to the public. The architects of this new basilica was Isidorus from Miletus (Soke) and Anthemious from Tralles (Aydin). In the year 1453, with the conquest of Istanbul, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror converted the church into a mosque. To strengthen up the building during the Turkish period architect Sinan did significant work in Hagia Sophia. |
During the reign of Sultan Abdulmecid (1839-1861) de Fossati brothers made various restorations in building. Hagia Sophia, the legacy of both Christian and Muslim culture, was opened for visits as a Museum according to the order of Ataturk and he decision of the Turkish Assembly of Minister on the 1st of February 1935. The Hagia Sophia museum was included in the list of UNESCO World's heratige. The activities of the museum are supervised and supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Turkey.
For further tour information or to book a tour, please contact Timeless Tours.
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