Ayasofya

Description

Open Edition Reproduction

The Ayasofya (Aya Sofia/Hagia Sofia) is the great basilica built on the site of a Constantine church by Justinian in the early sixth century. Justinian, upon entering the church at its opening, exclaimed ?I have outdone you, Solomon!?. It was the largest building in the world for approximately 1000 years.

After the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans under Mehmet II in 1453, the building was converted to mosque status, with later additions of four minarets.

After Kemal Ataturk?s secular reformations of Turkey, the Site was converted to secular museum status, but more recently has been restored to mosque status.