HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE HISTORY IN TURKEY

 

Hagia Sophia, also known as Ayasofya in Turkish, is an iconic historical monument located in Istanbul, Turkey. Its history spans over 1,500 years, and it has served different roles throughout its existence.

1. Byzantine Era (537-1453): Hagia Sophia was originally built as a Christian cathedral during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD. It was designed by the architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus and quickly became one of the most significant religious structures in the Byzantine Empire.

2. Ottoman Era (1453-1935): In 1453, during the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque under the orders of Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror). Minarets were added, and many Christian features, including mosaics and religious iconography, were covered or removed. It remained a mosque for nearly 500 years.

3. Republic of Turkey (1935-present): After the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the country underwent significant modernization efforts. In 1935, Hagia Sophia was secularized and transformed into a museum, as part of the government's policy to create a more secular state.

4. Hagia Sophia as a Mosque (2020-present): In July 2020, the Turkish government decided to convert Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. Following a court ruling, it was announced that the museum status would be revoked, and the site would once again be used as a mosque. The first Friday prayers were held at Hagia Sophia on July 24, 2020.

Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its architectural beauty and historical significance. It is a symbol of Istanbul's rich and diverse history, reflecting the cultural heritage of both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Today, it continues to be a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world to marvel at its unique blend of Christian and Islamic architectural elements.