Rising in the heart of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is more than just a building, it represents a magnificent combination of history, culture and art. This magical building, which has memories and symbols from the past in every detail, draws attention with its many interesting features. Here are the features that make Hagia Sophia a great place to visit.

1. Reflections of History Through Ages

Commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia was built as a technological and engineering marvel of its time, reflecting the grandeur of the Byzantine Empire. In 1453, with the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottoman Empire, it was transformed into a mosque. Later, in 1935, the Republic of Turkey converted it into a museum. As a result, Hagia Sophia stands as a monument carrying traces of various cultures and religions throughout history.

2. Dome and the Legacy of Blue Domes

The magnificent dome of Hagia Sophia is acknowledged as a bridge between Byzantine and Islamic architecture. The spacious interior and the height of the dome signify a milestone in architectural history. Moreover, the transformation into a mosque during the Ottoman era provided inspiration for the famous “Blue Mosque” architectural style in Istanbul, characterized by its domed structure.

3. Mystery of the Mosaics

The interior of Hagia Sophia is adorned with stunning mosaics from the Byzantine era, depicting the life of Jesus and various saints. Following the 1453 conquest, during its conversion into a mosque, some of these mosaics were covered or damaged due to their perceived inconsistency with Islamic iconography. Towards the end of the 20th century, when Hagia Sophia was repurposed as a museum, some of these mosaics were restored and once again made accessible to visitors.

4. Engineering Marvel

The engineering techniques and materials used in constructing Hagia Sophia surpassed the standards of its time. Enormous marble columns, grand domes, and resilient walls stand as exquisite examples of engineering skills and knowledge from that era.

5. A Structure with Minarets Different from All Other Mosques

The minarets of Hagia Sophia differ from those of traditional mosques, stemming from pivotal transformations in its history. Originally constructed as a church, Ayasofya had no minarets. However, after the Ottoman Empire’s conquest of Istanbul in the late 15th century, it was converted into a mosque, resulting in alterations to its architecture and interior décor.

The addition of minarets occurred during this transformation. While its original structure reflected the design of a Byzantine church, the conversion into a mosque incorporated influences from Ottoman architecture. The minarets were constructed in alignment with traditional Ottoman minaret design. However, a distinctive aspect was that these minarets were relatively shorter and slimmer compared to those of other mosques.

The unique design of Hagia Sophia’s minarets carries historical and symbolic significance. The minarets’ comparatively lower height reflects the preservation of its original Byzantine church identity. This design choice emphasizes the historical background and distinct character of Hagia Sophia, maintaining its unique essence.

The Hagia Sophia minarets, with their exceptional design, carry both historical and symbolic meanings. Despite the transformation into a mosque, the shorter and slimmer minarets represent the church’s original Byzantine identity. This design choice highlights the structure’s historical legacy and unique character, transcending time and symbolizing the spirit of unity across diverse cultural and religious contexts.

In our article, we discussed why Hagia Sophia is a place worth visiting and highlighted its features. You can explore more fascinating details about Hagia Sophia by checking out our professional guided tours. You can consider the Old City Tour to explore Hagia Sophia and the ancient settlements of Istanbul, or try the Seven Sacred Mosques Tour, which includes a visit to Hagia Sophia as well.