Is it worth a trip to go see it in particular. Currently I've been reading The Historian and they mention it alot, looked it up on wiki and it looks beautiful.
2007-10-07 16:34:24 · 4 answers · asked by smiling_cyanide 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
You should absolutely visit the Haghia Sophia--the Church of Holy Wisdom. In fact, I took a trip to Istanbul especially to see it.
Originally, it was designed by the emperor Justinian to represent the power and authority of the new Christian Roman Empire centered on Constantinople. The minarets (Islamic towers) around the building are actually fairly modern additions--originally, the church was simply the enormous central structure with its unforgettable domed roof. The inside is lavishly decorated with the finest examples of Byzantine mosaics, multi-colored layers of marble, and richly decorated gilded screens and images. It is truly a sight to behold (though when I saw it, the roof was unfortunately under construction).
The Haghia Sophia pioneered a new style of monumental architecture that was not lost on the people of the Eastern Mediterranean--many mosques were built along the same lines, and Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque was built specifically to compete with it in terms of grandeur (most say it falls short of the task). It's a lot of fun to remember how influential the building is when you're actually there. And on top of everything else, the Haghia Sophia is located right next to an ancient underground/underwater maze of columns ("the basilica cistern"), the old chariot tracks, an awesome museum, and Topkapi palace of the early Ottoman sultans. Visit them all on your trip, and finish off the day with a cruise down the Bosphorus--magical.
2007-10-07 21:38:30 · answer #1 · answered by SPQRCLAUDIUS 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hagia Sophia has a rich history. It was a church, then a mosque, and is one of the greatest remaining examples of Byzantine architecture. It was probably converted to a museum, so that it could be enjoyed by many as a historical monument.
2016-04-07 10:16:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It's worth a stop. See if you can get up to the choir loft. You will find the Viking version of "Kilroy was here" cut into the stone by one of King Harald Hadrada's warriors in the early 11th Century. It was built as an Orthodox church.
2007-10-07 17:23:16 · answer #3 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well
i have not gone there yet
but i have seen it in the internet..
it was so beautiful..
i have also read that it was the most splendid features during the byzantine empire
2007-10-07 17:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by toph beifong 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋