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The Building of My Dreams.
Nov. 1st, 2015 10:20 amThe Hagia Sophia (from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia; Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former Christian patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, and now a museum (Ayasofya Müzesi) in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its construction in 537 until 1453, it served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931. It was then secularized and opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.
That's what Wikipedia has to say. That, and more; it's a pretty complete article. But simple facts and dates can't express how much I need to see and touch this building. The first church of the Holy Wisdom was built on the site by Constantine the Great. It burned down. The second was ordered by Theodosius II, also known for the mighty city walls. That church was largely destroyed during the Nika riots of 532. Emperor Justinian I then declared that a mighty basilica would be built on the site. He imported materials from across the known world, consulted the greatest minds of the age, and built a church that, when it opened it's doors on December 27th, 537, was a wonder of the world.
It still is. It is nearly 1,500 years old. The amazing thing is that through all these centuries and changes of possession no one eliminated the older aspects of the building. 7th century mosaics co-exist with 17th century Islamic tapestries. It really is one of the few places on earth where you experience the entire history of a place without needing reconstructions or simulations. There have been some changes, for example many of the tombs were moved after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, and of course their added electricity and plumbing. But you walk into building and you have entered a time machine.
I first read about the Hagia Sophia when I was 13 or so. It immediately caught my imagination. The more I studied the Byzantine Empire (and now the Ottoman Empire) the more I came to see how this one building seemed to be at the center of so many pivotal events. It has been witness to coronations grand and pathetic, murders and heroic stands, clerics both noble and scheming. My favorite tale of the building is the legend that when Mehet's troops broke through the doors, the priests who had been saying prayers for the city's salvation around the clock picked up the holy relics on the altar and walked into the walls. They'll stay there until a Christian Emperor takes back the city.
When we get there, we'll see if we can't convince them to come out.
We are so close to making our goal. Just 18 people making a $100 donation gets us there. Please, if you haven't donated yet, consider doing so now. If you can't help financially, please spread the word. Remember; we are offering a PDF collection of my better journal posts collected by Hugo Award winner Chris Garcia for any donation of $50 or more, and I am still offering places in my NaNoWriMo project.
That's what Wikipedia has to say. That, and more; it's a pretty complete article. But simple facts and dates can't express how much I need to see and touch this building. The first church of the Holy Wisdom was built on the site by Constantine the Great. It burned down. The second was ordered by Theodosius II, also known for the mighty city walls. That church was largely destroyed during the Nika riots of 532. Emperor Justinian I then declared that a mighty basilica would be built on the site. He imported materials from across the known world, consulted the greatest minds of the age, and built a church that, when it opened it's doors on December 27th, 537, was a wonder of the world.
It still is. It is nearly 1,500 years old. The amazing thing is that through all these centuries and changes of possession no one eliminated the older aspects of the building. 7th century mosaics co-exist with 17th century Islamic tapestries. It really is one of the few places on earth where you experience the entire history of a place without needing reconstructions or simulations. There have been some changes, for example many of the tombs were moved after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, and of course their added electricity and plumbing. But you walk into building and you have entered a time machine.
I first read about the Hagia Sophia when I was 13 or so. It immediately caught my imagination. The more I studied the Byzantine Empire (and now the Ottoman Empire) the more I came to see how this one building seemed to be at the center of so many pivotal events. It has been witness to coronations grand and pathetic, murders and heroic stands, clerics both noble and scheming. My favorite tale of the building is the legend that when Mehet's troops broke through the doors, the priests who had been saying prayers for the city's salvation around the clock picked up the holy relics on the altar and walked into the walls. They'll stay there until a Christian Emperor takes back the city.
When we get there, we'll see if we can't convince them to come out.
We are so close to making our goal. Just 18 people making a $100 donation gets us there. Please, if you haven't donated yet, consider doing so now. If you can't help financially, please spread the word. Remember; we are offering a PDF collection of my better journal posts collected by Hugo Award winner Chris Garcia for any donation of $50 or more, and I am still offering places in my NaNoWriMo project.
