One Thing, Three Ways: Hagia Sophia (Part II)
Hagia Sophia was originally a Christian cathedral, first Eastern Orthodox and then Roman Catholic, until it was converted to a mosque in 1453. When it was completed in 537, the Hagia Sophia (which means “Holy Wisdom) was the largest cathedral in the world. It retained that honor for 1,000 years until the Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520.
The Hagia Sophia was designed by scientists, a mathematician named Anthemius of Tralles, and a physicist, Isidore of Miletus. It’s dome is so massive that Notre Dame could fit inside and the Statue of Liberty could do jumping jacks. Only the Pantheon in Rome has a slightly bigger dome than Hagia Sophia. It is one of the best remaining examples of Byzantine architecture and is said to have inspired the design of the Blue Mosque.
This is a second group of my three favorite shots from Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. What do you think? Do you have a favorite below?
Hagia Sophia Photo #1. The pulpit at Hagia Sophia.
Hagia Sophia Photo #2. The arches on the second floor are simply massive!
Hagia Sophia Photo #3. Another view of part of her massive dome where a mixture of Christian and Islamic religions remain in the now secular museum.
On Today’s Date in the Past:
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Churches and cathedrals do offer so many architecturals beauties. When they were building those money was not a problem. and it shows. I am not sure we could do the same today.
if I have to pick one, the first one is my favorite.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and sharing your comment! It was certainly an interesting place to visit!
It’s still hard to feel how immense this place must be. Nice shots.
It is massive! It’s amazing to think that Notre Dame in Paris could fit inside its dome. Crazy!
I’m going to have to go with the first shot again! Just an amazing view and it reminds me of Juliet’s Balcony for some reason haha