Quote: "It was completed in 537 AD."
Domes, arches, and intricate mosaics.
Early Byzantine Architecture: Refers to the architecture of the Byzantine Empire from its inception in the 4th century until the 7th century. This period is characterized by the use of ancient Roman architectural elements such as columns, arches, vaults, and domes.
Middle Byzantine Architecture: Refers to the architecture of the Byzantine Empire from the 7th century until the 11th century. This period is characterized by the development of more complex architectural features such as the use of brick and marble, and the creation of more ornamental mosaics and frescoes.
Late Byzantine Architecture: Refers to the architecture of the Byzantine Empire from the 11th century to the empire's fall in 1453. This period is characterized by the use of elaborate decorative elements, such as intricate marble and stone carvings, frescoes, and mosaics.
Byzantine Churches: Byzantine churches are characterized by their distinctive cross-in-square design, with a central dome supported by four columns, and a series of smaller domes and vaults arranged symmetrically around it.
Byzantine Palaces: Byzantine palaces were built to accommodate the needs of imperial rulers and their courtiers. They were typically grand structures with multiple stories and extensive gardens.
The Hagia Sophia: The Hagia Sophia was the largest and most impressive church in the Byzantine Empire, and is still considered one of the greatest architectural achievements of the ancient world. It features an enormous central dome supported by pendentives and a series of smaller domes and vaults.
Byzantine Fortifications: Byzantine architecture also includes impressive fortifications, such as the walls of Constantinople, which were some of the most sophisticated fortifications of their time.
Byzantine Iconography: Byzantine architecture is known for its impressive use of iconography, particularly in the form of mosaics and frescoes. These decorative elements often depicted religious figures and scenes, and were intended to convey spiritual messages to worshippers.
Byzantine Engineering: Byzantine architecture also involved impressive feats of engineering, such as the use of counterweights to lift heavy stones into place, and the development of hydraulic systems to transport water and move machinery.
Byzantine Influences: Byzantine architecture was influenced by a variety of different cultures and historical periods, including ancient Greek and Roman architecture, Islamic architecture, and Gothic architecture.
Early Byzantine Architecture (324-726 AD): This period was characterized by the use of classical Roman architecture and the adoption of new styles by the Eastern Roman Empire.
Middle Byzantine Architecture (726-1100 AD): This period saw the development of a distinctive Byzantine style with the use of domes, arched entrances, and beautiful mosaics.
Late Byzantine Architecture (1100-1453 AD): During this period, the Byzantine Empire faced increasing threats from Islamic forces, leading to the development of new defensive structures such as fortress walls and moats.
Novgorod School (12th century): This architectural style emerged in Russia during the 12th century and was characterized by the use of large, colorful mosaics and frescoes.
Macedonian Renaissance (867-1056 AD): This period saw a revival of Byzantine culture and architecture, with a return to the classical forms of the Early Byzantine period.
Palaiologan Dynasty (1261-1453 AD): This period was marked by a decline in Byzantine power and a shift towards more Gothic and Ottoman influences in architectural style.
Justinianic Period (527-565 AD): This period was characterized by the construction of major buildings such as the Hagia Sophia, which made use of advanced engineering and artistic technologies.
Cappadocian Architecture (9th-11th centuries): This style emerged in the region of Cappadocia, Turkey, and was characterized by the use of tunnels, underground cities, and cave dwellings.
Komnenian Art (1081-1185 AD): This period saw a flowering of Byzantine art and architecture, with an emphasis on religious symbolism and lavish decoration.
Pyrgi School (11th-12th centuries): This architectural style emerged in Sicily during the Arab-Norman period and was characterized by the use of decorative Byzantine elements mixed with Arab and Norman styles.
Quote: "The current structure was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I as the Christian cathedral of Constantinople for the Byzantine Empire between 532 and 537."
Quote: "The last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire."
Quote: "It was converted to a mosque by Mehmed the Conqueror [after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453]."
Quote: "Upon its conversion, the bells, altar, iconostasis, ambo, and baptistery were removed, while iconography, such as the mosaic depictions of Jesus, Mary, Christian saints, and angels were removed or plastered over."
Quote: "It was re-opened in 1935 as a museum under the secular Republic of Turkey."
Quote: "In July 2020, the Council of State annulled the 1934 decision to establish the museum, and the Hagia Sophia was reclassified as a mosque."
Quote: "Proponents of the decision argued the Hagia Sophia was the personal property of the sultan [Mehmed]"
Quote: "The religious and spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly one thousand years."
Quote: "In 1054, an act considered the start of the East–West Schism."
Quote: "The Byzantine architecture of the Hagia Sophia served as inspiration for many other religious buildings."
Quote: "Islamic architectural additions included four minarets, a minbar, and a mihrab."
Quote: "Hagia Sophia's waqf, endowed by Sultan Mehmed."
Quote: "The 1934 decree was ruled to be unlawful under both Ottoman and Turkish law."
Quote: "The decision to designate Hagia Sophia as a mosque was highly controversial and drew condemnation from the Turkish opposition, UNESCO, the World Council of Churches and the International Association of Byzantine Studies, as well as numerous international leaders."
Quote: "The building was Turkey's most visited tourist attraction as of 2019."
Quote: "It was designed by the Greek geometers Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles."
Quote: "Officially the Hagia Sophia Mosque."
Quote: "Being returned to the Eastern Orthodox Church upon the restoration of the Byzantine Empire in 1261."
Quote: "Beginning with subsequent Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia became the paradigmatic Orthodox church form, and its architectural style was emulated by Ottoman mosques a thousand years later."