Why was the Hagia Sophia converted to a mosque?

Why was the Hagia Sophia converted to a mosque?

The 1934 decree was ruled to be unlawful under both Ottoman and Turkish law as Hagia Sophia’s waqf, endowed by Sultan Mehmed, had designated the site a mosque; proponents of the decision argued the Hagia Sophia was the personal property of the sultan.

Which religions affected the architecture and use of the Hagia Sophia?

Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for over a thousand years, a major influence on and inspiration for future religious architecture, both Christian and Muslim.

What cultural period does the initial construction of the Hagia Sophia represent?

Built between 532 and 537, Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom, Ayasofya) represents a brilliant moment in Byzantine architecture and art. It was the principal church of the Byzantine Empire in its capital, Constantinople (later Istanbul), and a mosque after the Ottoman Empire conquered the city in 1453.

What cultural period does the Hagia Sophia reflect?

The Hagia Sophia served this pivotal role in Byzantine culture and politics for much of its first 900 years of existence. However, during the Crusades, the city of Constantinople, and by extension the Hagia Sophia, was under Roman control for a brief period in the 13th century.

How did the Hagia Sophia combine both Greek and Roman architectural elements?

The Hagia Sophia combines both Greek and Roman architectural elements. Some examples of this are the famous dome on this beautiful building was like that of the Ottoman Turks of the Roman Empire. It seems to have three or four large pillars which are made of marble which is like in Athens, Greece.

What was significant about the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453?

The capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire was significant for both the Turks and for the Europeans because it represented a major defeat for the forces of Christianity and a major triumph for those of Islam.