The Hagia Sophia "Ayasofya" Istanbul
The Hagia Sophia The Hagia Sophia (Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia ) meaning "Holy Wisdom", is the biggest church constructed by the Roman Empire in Constantinople, it has been constructed three times in the same location. The current structure was constructed by Isidoros and Anthemios, who were renowned architects of their time, by Emperor Justinianos’s (527-565) orders. The third Hagia Sophia construction combined the traditional basilical plan with the central dome plan in design. During the Roman period, the Hagia Sophia was the Empire Church and, as a result, was the place in which the emperors were crowned. Following Fatih Sultan Mehmed Khan’s (1451-1481) conquer in 1453, Hagia Sophia was renovated into a mosque. The structure was fortified and was well protected and remained as a mosque. The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s orders and The Council of Ministers decision, it has been functioning as one si...