Top things to note on Hagia Sophia, Turkey

Hagia Sophia, also known as Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, is a worshipping place in Istanbul, Turkey. Hagis Sophis is one of the iconic examples of beautiful Byzantine architecture. It was first built as a cathedral and later converted to a mosque. To date, it is one of the structures that stand as an example of fine architecture amidst enthusiasts. Some notable points on Hagia Sophia are listed below:-

• Hagia Sophia is a richly decorated architectural beauty with excellent interiors. There are marble pillars and mosaics present on the inside of the mosque.
• It is one of the fine examples of masonry construction. The entire structure has joints made up of mortar joints and bricks that are nearly 1.5 times the thickness of a brick.
• Hagia Sophia is known to be the first iconic masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It is in the form of a complex. There is a central dome of 55.6 meters elevation covering the nave.
• The Justinianic flooring of Hagia Sophia is made using stones that date back to the 6th century. There was a new Justinianic floor laid on top of the rubble in 558.
• The Matroneum, the upper gallery, is a horseshoe-shaped structure that is blocked by the apse and conveniently encloses the nave on all three sides. The upper gallery preserves various mosaics. The best out of the lot is preserved on the south side of the gallery. One can witness runic graffiti on the upper gallery that is said to be left by the Varangian Guard members.
• The construction of Hagia Sophia is so strong, that it still stands intact after being a victim of several natural disasters like earthquakes, etc.
• Hagia Sophia features a dome that draws the interest of many engineers, art historians, and architecture enthusiasts due to its innovative style. The dome of the mosque stands intact on four pendentives, spherical triangular in shape. The dome was the largest until St Peter’s Basilica came into existence.

Conclusion

Hagia Sophia is an inspiration in the field of architecture, and every architecture student or enthusiast takes inspiration from this historical piece of excellence. You can refer to pictures on the internet or even visit Hagia Sophia to study the design in detail.