For what purpose was the Hagia Sophia built in Istanbul?
It was built as a Christian church in the 6th century ce (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again.
Why was Hagia Sophia converted to the 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.
Why is the Hagia Sophia such an important building when studying the history of Constantinople Istanbul?
The Hagia Sophia anchors the Old City of Istanbul and has served for centuries as a landmark for both Orthodox Christians and Muslims, as its significance has shifted with that of the dominant culture in the Turkish city.
What was the Hagia Sophia and why is it an important part of Ottoman heritage?
The building itself served as a kind of link between cultures. It was the symbol of the Roman political tradition. Ottoman sultans claimed to be not just sultans but also Caesar – a Roman emperor – and Hagia Sophia symbolized this Roman-Ottoman universal sovereignty.
How did architects create elements in the dome of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul that float higher than any previous dome?
How did architects create elements in the dome of Hagia Sophia (in Istanbul) that float higher than any previous dome? By using pendentives. 7. Which of the following features is NOT common to both Byzantine and Early Christian churches?
How does the Hagia Sophia reflect cultural diffusion?
The city’s most famous church, the Hagia Sophia, reflected the city’s cultural diffusion. When it was built, the church displayed the architectural styles of the Western Roman Empire. By the ninth century, the church showed the Greek influences of the Eastern Roman Empire.