Hagia Sophia

In Constantinople (now Istanbul), a splendid cathedral built under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. It is a unique building and one of the world's great monuments. The domed basilica, was built in an amazing six years, completed in 537 AD. The architects were Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus. Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire at the time. For many years the Hagia Sophia was unsurpassed in size and the interior still retains much of its original elegant appearance. Its lower walls are faced with polished multicolored marbles and the vaults, domes, and pendentives are covered with brilliant Byzantine mosaics set in their background of gold.

Situated in Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, this is one of the most splendid churches in the Christian world. The present building was erected by Justinian between 532 and 537 to replace Constantine’s earlier basilica, which had been destroyed by fire. Its central design was revolutionary at the time; it has three main aisles divided by piers and columns within a square plan, and a large central flattened dome supported by four arches and pendentives inside, and semi-dome outside. For many years the Hagia Sophia was unsurpassed in size and the interior still retains much of its original sumptuous appearance. Its lower walls are faced with polished multi-coloured marbles and the vaults, domes and pendentives are covered with brilliant Byzantine mosaics set in their background of gold. See Byzantium.