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[[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 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]]
The architects of the church were Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, professors of geometry at the University of Constantinople. Justinian's basilica was at once the culminating architectural achievement of late antiquity and the first masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Its influence, both architecturally and liturgically, was widespread and enduring in the [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], and [[Islam|Muslim]] worlds alike.
== Description ==
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, including some visible from the ground floor.
[[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://books.google.ca/books?id=r-OsEpcTYpMC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0 Hagia Sophia, 1850-1950: Holy Wisdom Modern Monument].'' University of Chicago Press, 2004. ISBN 9780226571713
* Prof. Erik Goldstein. ''Holy Wisdom and British Foreign Policy, 1918-1922: The St. Sophia Redemption Agitation''. In '''Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies''' Vol.15 (1991): pp.36-64.
* Athelstan Riley. ''[http://www.worldcat.org/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/oclc/223128416&referer=brief_results Give Back Saint Sophia: A Report of 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].'' London: Faith Press, 1919.
* Rev. J.A. Douglas. ''[http://www.scribd.com/doc/33853393/The-Redemption-of-Saint-Sophia-by-J-A-Douglas-1919 The Redemption of St. Sophia].'' London & Manchester, The Faith Press, 1919.
* Prince Eugene Nicolayevich Trubetskoy. ''Saint Sophia: Russia's Hope and Calling.'' Transl. Madame Lucy Alexeiev. London, The Faith Press, 1916. (''Lecture'')
==Sources==
[[Category:Churches]]
[[Category: Churches in Turkey]]
[[Category:Orthodox UNESCO World Heritage Sites]]
[[ro:Hagia Sofia (Constantinopol)]]
