The Hagia Sophia was built in AD 537, with minarets added in the 15th–16th centuries when it became a mosque.
The Crown Jewel of Byzantine Constantinople
Standing at the heart of Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia was more than just an architectural marvel—it was the spiritual and political symbol of Byzantine power. Originally commissioned by Emperor Justinian I and completed in 537, the Hagia Sophia (Greek for “Holy Wisdom”) represented the height of Byzantine engineering and imperial ambition. It was the largest church in the Christian world for nearly a thousand years, its massive dome and intricate mosaics leaving visitors in awe. As Procopius describes in The Secret History, Justinian’s vision for the Hagia Sophia was to create a structure so magnificent that it would surpass all others. Upon its completion, the emperor is said to have exclaimed, “Solomon, I have outdone you!”—a testament to the church’s unmatched grandeur.
The Hagia Sophia was more than just a place of worship; it was a statement of divine authority. Byzantine emperors were crowned within its walls, reinforcing the connection between religious faith and imperial rule. As Constantine VII details in De Ceremonies, elaborate ceremonies took place here, including imperial processions that showcased the emperor’s power and divine favor. The church’s mosaics, many of which depicted Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the emperor himself, further emphasized this union between church and state.
The building’s architectural innovations set it apart from anything that had come before. Designed by the mathematicians Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, the Hagia Sophia’s massive central dome—rising over 55 meters high—appeared to float above the vast interior, supported by hidden pendentives and massive buttresses. Cyril Mango, in Byzantium: The Empire of the New Rome, describes how this engineering feat not only revolutionized church design but also inspired future architectural developments, including later Ottoman mosques. The Hagia Sophia’s shimmering golden mosaics and marble columns, sourced from across the empire, reflected the wealth and reach of Byzantine rule.
The Hagia Sophia also played a crucial role in the city’s social and religious life. As Judith Herrin notes in Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire, the church was not only a place of worship but also a gathering space for the people of Constantinople during times of crisis. Whether in celebration or turmoil, the city’s inhabitants looked to the Hagia Sophia as a beacon of stability. However, it was not immune to the city’s turbulent history. During the Fourth Crusade in 1204, Latin Crusaders sacked Constantinople, looting the Hagia Sophia and defiling its sacred spaces. Yet, when the Byzantines reclaimed the city in 1261, they restored the church, reaffirming its place at the center of Orthodox Christianity.
Despite its resilience, the Hagia Sophia ultimately saw a transformation after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. As Jonathan Harris explains in The End of Byzantium, Sultan Mehmed II converted the great church into a mosque, symbolizing the shift in power from the Byzantines to the Ottomans. Islamic minarets were added, and many Christian mosaics were covered, yet the building’s awe-inspiring beauty remained.
Today, the Hagia Sophia stands as a testament to the grandeur of Byzantine Constantinople. Whether as a church, mosque, or museum, it continues to captivate visitors from around the world, reminding us of the city’s rich and complex history.