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Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)

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date first church
[[Image:Hagia_Sophia.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Church of [[Holy Wisdom]]]]
'''Hagia Sophia''' (Άγια Σοφία in Greek), the '''Church of Holy Wisdom''', known variously as '''Sancta Sophia''' in Latin or '''Ayasofya''' in Turkish, is an ancient [[cathedral]] of the [[Church of Constantinople]] located in modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. It was converted to a mosque by the Turks and is now used as a museum. It is universally acknowledged as one of the great buildings of the world and a reference point in history of architecture. (The church is sometimes mistakenly called "Saint Sophia," as though it were named for a saint called Sophia.)
== Construction ==[[Image:Hagia_Sophia_no_minarets.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Hagia Sophia with the Muslim minarets graphically removed]]The first great church on the site was built by Constantius II, the son of [[Constantine the Great]], but and dedicated in 360. It was burned down during the Nika riots of 532. The building was rebuilt in its present form between 532 and 537 under the personal supervision of emperor [[Justinian the Great]]. It is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Of great artistic value was its decorated interior with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian is believed to have said ''Νενίκηκά σε Σολομών'': "[[Solomon]], I have surpassed you!"
[[Image:Hagia_Sophia_interior.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Interior of Hagia Sophia]]
In 1934, under Turkish president Kemal Atatürk, Hagia Sofia was secularized and turned into the '''Ayasofya Museum'''. Nevertheless, the mosaics remained largely plastered over, and the building was allowed to decay. A 1993 UNESCO mission to Turkey noted falling plaster, dirty marble facings, broken windows, decorative paintings damaged by moisture, and ill-maintained lead roofing. Cleaning, roofing and restoration have since been undertaken.
Although Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, are more secular than most Muslim countries, the status of Hagia Sophia remains a sensitive subject. The Islamic calligraphic displays suspended from the main dome remain in place. The mosaics are being gradually uncovered, but only those on including some visible from the higher gallery levels, which can be accessed by stairways on the payment of a feeground floor. This means that Muslims do not have to confront Christian imagery in the main chamber of the building, which was a mosque for nearly 500 years [[image:Istanbul086.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Hagia Sophia at night]]
==External links==
* Byzantium 1200. [http://www.byzantium1200.com/hagia.html Hagia Sophia]. (Computer reconstruction).
*[http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/bible/procopius.stm Contemporary description] by Procopius, ''De Aedificiis'', published in 561 AD.
*[http://www.focusmm.com/civilization/hagia/welcome.htm Introduction, with floor plan and elevations.]
*[http://www.archaeology.org/online/news/sophia.html Very brief illustrated report on restorations]
 ==Further Reading==*Dr. Robert S. Nelson. ''[http://www.ismailacarbooks.comgoogle.trca/HsphiaHtml/006.htm Before books?id=r-OsEpcTYpMC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0 Hagia Sophia, The Era 1850-1950: Holy Wisdom Modern Monument].'' University of East Roman Empire] Painting by [[Ismail Acar]]Chicago Press, 2004. ISBN 9780226571713* Prof. Erik Goldstein. ''Holy Wisdom and British Foreign Policy, in Hagia 1918-1922: The St. Sophia, 1999Redemption Agitation''. In '''Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies''' Vol.15 (1991): pp.36-64.*Athelstan Riley. ''[http://www.ismailacarworldcat.com.trorg/title/give-back-saint-sophia-a-report-on-the-speeches-delivered-at-the-opening-meeting-of-the-crusade-for-the-redemption-of-saint-sophia-held-at-the-cannon-street-hotel-on-january-23rd-1919-by-mr-athelstan-riley-the-right-reverend-the-lord-bishop-of-oxford-dr-burrows-and-the-rev-j-a-douglas/HsphiaHtmloclc/009.htm One 223128416&referer=brief_results Give Back Saint Sophia: A Report of the Speeches Delivered at the Opening Meeting of the most famous Christ mosaic Crusade for the Redemption of Hagia Saint Sophia, held at the Cannon Street Hotel, on January 23rd, 1919] Painting by [[Ismail Acar]].'' London: Faith Press, in Hagia Sophia, 19991919.*Rev. J.A. Douglas. ''[http://www.ismailacarscribd.com.tr/HsphiaHtmldoc/33853393/007The-Redemption-of-Saint-Sophia-by-J-A-Douglas-1919 The Redemption of St.htm Hagia Sophia].'s horses' London & Manchester, now in Venice Square] Painting by [[Ismail Acar]]The Faith Press, in Hagia 1919.* Prince Eugene Nicolayevich Trubetskoy. ''Saint Sophia: Russia's Hope and Calling.'' Transl. Madame Lucy Alexeiev. London, The Faith Press, 19991916.(''Lecture'')
==Sources==
[[Category:Churches]]
[[Category: Churches in Turkey]]
[[Category:Orthodox UNESCO World Heritage Sites]]
 
[[ro:Hagia Sofia (Constantinopol)]]
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