The Hagia Sophia Mosque has been standing for over 1500 years, since 573 AD, and its massive dome adorns the skyline of Istanbul!
The structure was originally built to be a Church, which transformed into a Mosque under Ottoman rule, and has also been a museum in its lifetime.
Visitors planning to visit the now-standing Mosque structure must know about its fascinating changing history for the best experience.
In this article, we’ll discover Hagia Sophia’s complete historical timeline, from its construction to its present structure, which attracts over 13 million visitors yearly!
A Quick Timeline of Hagia Sophia Istanbul History
537 AD: The original structure of the Hagia Sophia Church was built.
1204 to 1216 AD: Hagia Sophia became a Roman Catholic Church under the Latin invaders.
1453 AD to 1922 AD: The Church fell into the hands of the Ottoman Dynasty and was converted into a Mosque. Many architectural changes were made.
1934: The Mosque became a Museum to preserve the historical artifacts and other elements added under the different rulers.
1985: It was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1934 to 2020: Functioned smoothly as a museum, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world. The Catholic mosaics were restored.
2020: The Museum was turned back into a Mosque under President Erdogan.
Hagia Sophia Church History
When the structure was constructed in 537 AD under Emperor Justinian II, it began as a marvelous Church structure.
Let’s look at the history of this first structure in detail, which later becomes a Mosque under the Ottomans!
The Birth of the Church of Constantius II
The first structure that was being built where the Hagia Sophia stands was named the Magna Ecclesia for its massive size!
Eudoxius of Antioch consecrated it during the reign of Emperor Constantinius II on 15th February 360 AD.
It stood beside the place where the new Palace was undergoing construction.
Before this structure was built, a smaller Church, Hagia Irene, was considered the main Cathedral.
A Baptistery, Hypogeum, and a shrine over the tomb of a Christian martyr were also attached to the original structure.
Many regions of the Byzantine Empire were involved in the construction, including green marble taken from Egypt, yellow stone from Syria, and black stone from Bosporus.
Sadly, most of this structure was burnt down during the riots during Emperor Arcadius’s reign.
The riots were a way for people to object to John Chrysostom, the Patriarch of Constantinople’s exile in 404 AD.
The Church Theodosius II
A second Basilica was constructed under Theodosius II, who enclosed both the churches in one wall and were maintained by the same members.
The architect Rufinus worked on this structure, which was famous for its unique carved facade and mosaic flooring.
The original structure was enhanced with a new entrance and Rotunda, which are great places to store liturgy objects.
This new Basilica suffered the same fate as the first structure and was burned down in the Nika Riots in January 532 AD.
The Formation of the Church of Justinian II
The structure of the Church you see standing today was constructed under Emperor Justinian II in 537 AD.
He appointed Anthemus and Isidore as the main architects of the beautiful Church, who were scholars in mathematics and great at architecture.
They added imported columns from the Mediterranean, stunning white marble tiles, and a stucco pattern to the facade.
They worked together for five years to deliver the structure you see today!
After its celebratory consecration in 537 AD, the Hagia Sophia Church became an important place for coronations and other royal celebrations.
In 578, the Dome of the Church collapsed because of the cracks forming as an earthquake hit the structure.
Justinian hired Isidorius the Younger to work on the structure, who added Corinthian columns for additional support.
This is how the architecture of Hagia Sophia you see today was finally formed in the 6th century!
When Constantinople went under Latin rule between 1204 and 1216, the Church became a Roman Catholic Church.
Over the years, Istanbul’s earthquakes and ignorance of the church’s repairs caused it to be closed to the public for a while until repairs began again in 1354.
Even though the Church was repaired, it was greatly avoided by all Catholics as it fell at the center of a conflict between the Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church.
Pilgrims began looking at the place as a house of demons before it fell into the hands of the Ottomans during the siege of Constantinople in 1453.
Conversion to a Mosque
Hagia Sophia fell under Sultan Mehmed II’s control, who was the first Ottoman ruler in Constantinople.
The structure was converted when the Sultan organized the first Friday prayer there on June 1, 1453.
Mehmed saw the pitiful state of the structure and ordered an immediate renovation of the Mosque.
He also added Islamic structures, like a mihrab, a platform for preaching and much more to make the structure into a mosque.
When Suleiman came to power in 1520, he ordered the mosaics of Mother Mary, Jesus, and the saints to be covered with plaster.
They were later removed in 1730 under Turkish rule; some can even be seen today!
Between 1576 and 1577, Sultan Selim II was tired of the continuous damage caused to the structure by earthquakes.
He hired Mimir Sanin, a famous earthquake engineer, to deal with this problem.
Mimir also worked on adding two minarets to the corners and building a mausoleum for Sultan Mehmed III.
During this period, the Baptistery area was also converted into Tombs for Mustafa I and Sultan Ibrahim.
For 482 years, the structure remained a Mosque!
It was well-maintained as Sultans like Abudulmejid and others kept renovating it and adding other Islamic elements.
When Istanbul fell into the hands of the British in 1919, the Mosque acted as a Church once more, and Eleftherios Noufrakis said mass inside.
The Hagia Sophia Museum History
The Hagia Sophia Museum was born in 1935 when Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk came into power!
The museum played a significant role during the Second World War, as machine guns were stored in the minarets.
After the war, it underwent a series of repairs, during which the carpets were removed, and marble flooring was added.
In 1985, the Museum was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and named a Historical Area in Istanbul!
The World Monuments Fund collected enough money between 1997 and 2002 to repastructure’s water-damaged domeructure.
Hagia Sophia was named Turkey’s second-most-visited attraction in 2014, and its popularity only increased in the coming years!
However, Bulent Arinc, a deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, announced in 2013 that Hagia Sophia would soon be converted back into a Mosque.
Muslim prayers followed this announcement at Hagia Sophia 85 years later in 2016!
Changing back to a Mosque
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Over the years, the Hagia Sophia Mosque has sparked much religious and political controversy because of its ever-changing nature.
President Erdogan was the main figure working towards converting it back into a mosque, which began in 2018.
In 2018, he read the first verse of the Quran in the museum, dedicating it to the Sultans who formed the Mosque.
Since the Museum is a World Heritage site, Erdogan also requested that UNESCO allow him to make the change.
Finally, in 2020, the Museum was declared a Mosque while the Turkish Government celebrated Constantinople’s conquest anniversary!
The Mosque was free to visit for years until Erdogan declared in 2024 that all foreign visitors should pay an entry fee for its upkeep.
Hagia Sophia Today
Hagia Sophia stands today as a reminder of the harmonious relationship all faiths share in Istanbul.
It is now a Mosque visited by over 13 million pilgrims and tourists annually.
The Mosque is known for its marvelous Catholic mosaics, brilliant architectural dome, and holy ambiance.
It is also a historical spot with an exciting blend of Byzantine and Ottoman influences, and it is a one-of-a-kind pilgrimage site today!
Abdul al-Fath Sultan Mehmed Foundation now owns the spot and promises that the attraction will remain a Mosque forever.
You can still see a part of the museum today, and it is called the Hagia Sophia History Museum!
FAQs on Hagia Sophia History
What is the story behind Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia is a brilliant symbol of Byzantine architecture, constructed as a Church in 537 AD. When Turkey fell under the Ottomans, the Church was converted to a Mosque in 1453.
Why was Hagia Sophia converted into a Mosque?
The structure was converted into a Mosque under Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, who captured Turkey and wanted to show his power.
Why did the Ottomans keep Hagia Sophia?
The Ottomans used the Mosque to show their power over Turkey since they converted it from a Church. It was also a way to preserve the building’s beauty. They also added Islamic calligraphy and religious structures and covered all Catholic mosaics.
What did the Hagia Sophia look like originally?
Hagia Sophia’s facade was decorated with Proconnisian marble when it was a Church. The brick walls exposed today are bright blue, with stucco designs all over. Its stunning dome and cross at the top were all gilded.
Who owns Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Mosque is now in the hands of the Abdul al-Fath Sultan Mehmed Foundation.
What does the word Hagia Sophia mean in English?
The word translates to Holy Wisdom in English.
What is Hagia Sophia a symbol of today?
The Hagia Sophia symbolizes peaceful harmony between Turkey’s religions. Its structure respects Catholic and Islamic symbols, showing tolerance for all faiths.
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Featured Photo by Diego Allen on Unsplash
