Hagia Sophia – A Religious Love Affair

Aya Sophia (pronounced in Turkish) is a relic, a representation of the rich traditions and history of Turkey and a monument which has survived earthquakes, fires and religious power struggles.

The original structure Megale Ekklesia (“Great Church”) was built by the Emperor Constantine around 360AD. It was torched to the ground during the Nika Riots of 404AD and later again in 532 AD.

Only 39 days after the destruction of 532AD, the Emperor Justinian hired great architects named Anthemius and Isidore the Elder to rebuild of Hagia Sophia and thus was completed between 532 and 537 CE. It was built with the grandeur to make a statement to the world; Christianity trumps paganism. The new structure embodied the essence of Byzantine style and for nearly a thousand years was the largest cathedral in the world. Hagia Sophia was built in just six years. One hundred master builders supervised 10,000 workers in its construction. Justinian wished to build an structure to rival the legendary Solomon’s Temple. When he finally entered the finished building he uttered the words, ‘Solomon, I’ve surpassed you!’

With the conquest of Constantinople in 1543 AD by Sultan Mehmet II, Hagia Sophia Church became a Mosque. Four minarets were added and all graven images were plastered under yellow paint; the exception being the Theotokos (Virgin Mary with Child). Large monographs adorned with arabic calligraphy by Mustafa Izzet Efendi that depicted Allah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the four caliphs were also added. The style of the Hagia Sophia, in particular its dome, would go on to influence Ottoman architecture, most notably in the development of the Blue Mosque, built in Istanbul during the 17th century.

It stood as a monument and mosque for about five hundred years until 1935, when the first Turkish President and the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, secularized not only the nation, but also the Hagia Sophia.



The Hagia Sophia today stands as a reminder of the ability of the two great religions to co-exist. It’s external beauty and splendour almost masks the internal years of neglect and lack of restoration that an edifice such as this truly deserves. Nevertheless, a marvel of design and architecture, one can only hope her future is not as unstable as her past.