Official Gazette: Ayasofya-Camii. The sheer dazzling beauty of mosque with its magnificent play on space, light, and color provokes worship in the believer! Hagia Sophia pose on the ground of the first hill of Δ°stanbul, precisely at the tip of the historic peninsula, surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn on three sides. When it was first built, it was named Megale Ekklesia Big Church ; however, after the fifth century, it was referred to as the Hagia Sophia Holy Wisdom.
The church was the place in which rulers were crowned, and it was also the biggest operational cathedral in the city throughout the Byzantine period. The first church was constructed by Emperor Konstantios in The second church was reconstructed by Emperor Theodosios II in This basilical structure is known to contain five naves and a monumental entrance; it is also covered by a wooden roof.
Remains found during the excavations led by A. M Scheinder of the Δ°stanbul German Archeology Institute, 2 meters below ground level, include steps belonging to the Propylon monumental door , column bases and pieces with lamb embossings that represent the 12 apostles. In addition, other architectural pieces that belong to the monumental entrance can be seen in the west garden. Hagia Sophia considered the embodiment of Byzantine Architecture and also said changed the history of architecture.
By the order of Emperor Justinianos, it was built by Anthemios mathematician from Tralles today's Aydin and Isidoros geometrician and engineer from Miletos today's Balat. The construction started in and was completed in a period of five years and opened for worship on December 27, with great ceremony. An earthquake swarm which hit the Constantinople from May 7, to following the years and were destructive.
The dome of the Hagia Sophia collapsed and thousands of houses couldn't resist magnitude of quakes. The Hagia Sophia and Byzantine city of Constantinople sacked and looted in April by the Venetians and the Crusaders on the Fourth Crusade which regarded as shocking betrayal amongst Christians.
