Masterpiece Of The History Of Architecture:

The construction idea of Hagia Sophia started when Justinian dreamed that a Pir wanted him to build a great temple that is unique in the world and to spend his property for his own religion.

The construction of the Hagia Sophia Church was started by Justinian in January 532. Its architects are Anthemios from Tralles (Aydın) and Isidoros from Miletus.

Its construction took 5 years and 10 months and it was completed on 27 December 537 and opened for use.

For the foundation of the Hagia Sophia construction, 40 cubits (approximately 30 meters) were excavated until the groundwater descended.

According to rumors, when it was time to build the dome, which was the last stage of the construction of Hagia Sophia, the architect of the Hagia Sophia Church disappeared. All cities are searched but the architect cannot be found. Rewards are promised to those who find it.

After this development, Constantine gathered all the architects in the country and wanted the dome to be built. However, no architect would dare to do so. The building remained unfinished this way for 18 years.

He is brought to the presence of the Architect of Hagia Sophia, Constantine, who appeared 18 years later, and is asked why he fled. The architect said that he did not escape, but that it took so long for the building to settle, and that if it were not expected, the building would collapse when the dome was built. Afterwards, he went to the construction of Hagia Sophia and proved that the building sits about 3 meters.

During the construction, Justinian wrote a letter to all the countries under his reign and requested that high poles and floors be cut and delivered from the highest quality marble and mines to be used in the construction of Hagia Sophia.

After the earthquakes in 553 and 557, the main dome of Hagia Sophia was damaged and 20 years after it was put into service, the main dome was demolished in May 558. It was repaired by the young Isidorus, the nephew of Isidorus, one of the architects of Hagia Sophia.

It was severely damaged in the earthquake in 989 and was restored in 996 and put into service again.

Hagia Sophia Mosque was carefully preserved by all Ottoman Sultans and many additions and repairs were made to the structure. The most extensive and costly of these repairs was made during the reign of Abdülmecid.

Hagia Sophia Mosque was turned into a museum on November 24, 1934, 11 years after the proclamation of the Republic.