Hagia Sophia has stood tall since 537 AD, carrying forward the architectural beauty of each century since then!
Its unique twist of Byzantine architecture with holy Islamic and Catholic elements makes it an attractive space, attracting over 13 million visitors every year.
Visitors and design lovers planning to explore the Mosque must know all about the construction of the stunning Mosque and its popular features.
In this article, we’ll explore the small details of Hagia Sophia’s hidden beauty in Istanbul and discover how its appearance changed as it transformed into a Mosque from a Church!
The Architecture style of the Mosque
Although the Mosque is famous for its Byzantine-style architecture, it was also influenced by Greek, Roman, and Islamic architecture!
The construction of the Mosque, which was originally a Church, began in 532 CE, following the orders of Emperor Justinian I.
It was completed in around five years, and the famous architects Anthemius and Isidore added many Roman elements to its construction.
This helped create a beautiful and functional building, and the arches, vaults, and columns you see today are a product of this inspiration!
They also added unique gemstones and marble elements to the structure, inspired by the Greeks.
The massive dome, the most beautiful element of the Mosque, is a marvel of Byzantine influences.
The dome ensures the room looks much more spacious and majestic with its huge Byzantine pendentives to hold it up.
You can also see Ottoman architectural influences in the Mosque, with the addition of the Mihrab and Minibar, which are essential prayer areas!
Who constructed Hagia Sophia?
Anthemus of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus were skilled architects and renowned mathematicians in the 16th century.
They worked together to construct the marvel you see today in Istanbul!
Anthemus worked on perfecting the dimensions of the mosque’s structure to support the flashy dome easily.
He was known for his brilliance in geometry and mechanics, which contributed to the quick construction of the Mosque.
Anthemus also added a network of arches and mini domes to support today’s massive dome!
Isidore worked with Anthemus every step of the way in planning the base structure and the dome.
He has excellent knowledge of Byzantine architecture and the popular styles of the period, allowing them to create an aesthetic spectacle!
Architectural features of the Mosque
The Architecture of Hagia Sophia combines centuries-old architecture from different parts of the world.
Because of this, many popular styles of architecture combine to create a peaceful and harmonious structure.
Here are some architectural features of the Mosque that you must have a look at when exploring!
The Floor
The floor of the Mosque began as an area of stone under the orders of Emperor Justinian.
When the Dome collapsed onto the floor in 558 CE, a new layer of Preconnesian marble was laid down to create the new flooring you see today!
Preconnesian marble was famous in the Byzantine Empire because it was used in all famous monuments built under Constantinople.
The Narthex & the Nave
The Narthex is the main entrance, leading from the Imperial Door, usually reserved for the use of the Emperor and those closest to him.
Previously, the Narthex also had an atrium enclosed by Colonnades that stood tall until the 1800s.
The inner narthex has nine doors leading to the Mosque’s nave, bordered by four niches.
You can also find a long ramp from this inner portion leading to the top floors of the Mosque.
Buttresses
A line of Buttresses and Piers inside the Mosque are important architectural elements holding up the massive dome.
They ensure that the structure remains steady.
The Hagia Sophia Mosque also has interesting flying buttresses on the west in its design, which distribute the weight of the Dome evenly.
These arches’ flying buttresses send the weight directly to the floor as they are attached to Piers.
This form of architecture was popular during the Byzantine era.
The Minarets
The minarets were added when the Church was converted to a Mosque and are used as places to announce the Adhan and Salah prayer timings.
On the west side, the famous architect Mimar Sinan built one of these large minarets, standing 200 feet above the ground.
The red brick minaret on the southeast side of the Mosque dates back to Mehmed II’s time, and Beyazid II and Selim II erected the others.
These minarets date back to the Murad III period.
The Upper Galleries
The upper gallery is a horseshoe-shaped space reserved for displaying the stunning mosaics.
You can also see stunning runic graffiti decorating the walls of the first gallery, drawn on by members of the Varanian Guard from the Byzantine Empire.
The Arches and Hagia Sophia Dome Architecture
The stunning Dome of Hagia Sophia is 108 meters wide in diameter, with a 180-foot tall crown!
It is an architectural marvel that has stood for 1,400 years, made entirely of mortar and strong bricks.
The Dome is strategically supported with spherical triangle-shaped joined beams that allow the structure to transition smoothly from a square to a circular dome.
After the Dome’s cupola fell to the ground in 558 CE, many supporting arches and pendentives were added.
Because of the light that bounces off the interior of the Dome, it always looks like the structure is floating above the Mosque, giving it an otherworldly appearance!
The Facade
The Mosque’s exterior is simple, with many windows and arch-like openings that allow a lot of sunlight to enter.
Four towering Minarets surround it on four corners, and a lush garden which makes it stand out from its surroundings.
To see the decorations enhancing the beauty of the Mosque, check out our What to See Inside Hagia Sophia article!
The Construction Process
The construction of the Hagia Sophia Mosque began in 1523 CE, and it started with Emperor Justinian’s commissioning of a beautiful Cathedral.
The architects Anthemus and Isidore worked on planning the structure of the Dome and other elements with mathematical precision.
When the design was finalized, materials like stones, marble, and bricks were gathered, and a spot was chosen to erect the Church.
A strong base made of concrete and stone was made to hold up the structure.
Next, the workers began adding strong walls, columns, piers, and buttresses to support the dome.
When the dome was being built next, the craftsmen added intelligent pendentives to distribute the weight of the dome.
When the base structure was complete, artists were called to add beautiful mosaics on the walls and ceiling.
The mosaics you see today were designed with brilliant gold leaves and showcased religious scenes and figures.
The Hagia Sophia structure was finally completed in 537 AD when Emperor Justinian consecrated it with a grand celebration!
Contents
The Restorations & Changes in Architecture during conversion
Many changes were made to the structure to ensure the Church of Hagia Sophia Architecture was erased to leave behind a holy Mosque.
As history tells, the Mosque was also a museum for a few years until it was converted into a praying space in 2020.
The first restoration took place under Emperor Basil II, who rebuilt the collapsed Dome of the Hagia Sophia Church.
New Chrubium Angel murals and other religious symbols were added to the interiors during the restoration.
Under the Ottoman dynasty, a small minaret was added to the southwest corner of the Mosque.
Sultan Abdulmejid hired architects Gaspare and Giuseppe Fossati, who were called to renovate the entire space to make it appear more Mosque-like.
They straightened a few columns and changed the facade of the Mosque.
In 1850, under these two Swiss architects, a new Maqsurah adorned the space.
The Mosque stands on a fault line, making it a central location for destruction during all earthquakes in Istanbul.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture repaired the mosque’s dome in 2006 to repair the damage caused by these continuous earthquakes.
Because of the continuous effort to maintain the beauty of this monument, it still stands as one of the world’s top architectural marvels even today!
FAQs on Hagia Sophia Architecture
What is the architecture of Hagia Sophia?
It has Byzantine architecture, influenced by Greece, Rome, and the Ottoman Dynasty. It is a square-shaped building with a stunning dome at the top supported by pendentives.
Why is the dome of Hagia Sophia so famous in the Architectural world?
The building stands as a reminder of the architectural brilliance of the Byzantine Empire, with its massive dome and Roman arches supporting it. Many windows and openings at the dome’s base allow bright light inside.
What is the structural design of the Hagia Sophia?
The attraction has a square base and columns connected by beams to form a triangular shape. This creates a great support base for the stunning circular dome at the top.
What are the three architectural features of the Hagia Sophia?
The mosque’s most famous feature is its dome. Other attractive features include the inner and outer Narthex and the four surrounding minarets.
What architectural feature do you see on top of the Hagia Sophia?
The mosque’s dome is its most outstanding feature because of its eye-catching beauty and 180-foot-tall crown. Visitors also say that the dome appears to be hovering above the structure because of the many windows that let light inside.
How long did it take to build the Hagia Mosque?
It took around five years to build the Hagia Sophia between 532 AD to 537 AD.
Who built the Hagia Sophia?
Anthemus of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus were skilled Swiss architects who designed the entire structure of the Mosque. They were also great mathematicians who could accurately measure the whole building, which is why it still stands strong today.
Who commissioned the Hagia Sophia structure?
Emperor Justinian I commissioned the Mosque in 532 CE. It was originally built to be a Chapel but has since been converted into a Mosque and museum.
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Featured Photo by Alaa Shaheen on Unsplash
