The Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul, Turkey, is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and perhaps the most significant example of Byzantine art during its Golden era, combining Greek, Roman and Oriental influences. Aside from its beauty, Hagia Sophia (Greek for Church of the Holy Wisdom) is important for its artistic and architectural uniqueness, as well as its religious and political significance.
With the Roman Empire in severe economic and political decline in A.D. 330, Emperor Constantine "established the trading city of Byzantium as his new Eastern capital," renaming it Constantinople after himself (Benton & DiYanni 248). Constantine also recognized and accepted Christianity as a state religion. Until then, persecuted Christians met in secrecy, but with Constantine's acceptance of Christianity, churches began to be built. As the power of the Church grew, so did the religious structures.
Even before the rule of Constantine, the Roman Empire had been split into East and West. The "deep-rooted differences between the Christian churches of the West and Eastàdeveloped distinct traditions," including what a church should look like architecturally (Benton & DiYanni 249). The basilica and the rotunda were the two architectural forms developed in the Western Empire. In contrast, the East developed a domed architectural form. The brilliance of Hagia Sofia is its architectural union of Eastern and Western forms culminating in the creation of a domed basilica. The traditional Western basilica style was combined with a centrally located nave, capped off by a huge dome.
Build in only five years, 532 to 537, as the New Cathedral of Constantinople by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosque at the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 (Hagia Sophia û Great Buildings Online).
Most architects of the ancient great churches are not remembered by name, but the Hagia Sofia is such a great architect...