Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

Entering the Building Known as Hagia Sophia in Greek, Sancta Sophia in Latin and the Church of the Divine Wisdom in English, Aya Sofya has a history that’s as long as it is fascinating. It was constructed on the site of Byzantium’s acropolis, which was also the site of two earlier churches of the same name, one destroyed by fire and another during the Nika riots of AD 532. On entering his commission for the first time, Justinian exclaimed, ‘Glory to God that I have been judged worthy of such a work. Oh Solomon! I have outdone you!’ Entering the building today, his hubris is understandable. The less impressive exterior offers little preparation for the sublimely beautiful interior, with its magnificent domed roof soaring heavenward. Enter the building and walk straight ahead through the outer and inner narthexes to reach the Imperial Door , which is crowned with a striking mosaic of Christ as Pantocrator (Ruler of All). Christ holds a book that carries the inscription ‘Peace be With You. I am the Light of the World.’ At his feet an emperor (probably Leo VI) prostrates himself. The Virgin Mary is on Christ’s left and to his right is the Archangel Gabriel. Through the Imperial Door is the building’s main space, famous for its dome, huge nave and gold mosaics. Unfortunately, a huge scaffolding tower erected for restoration works has marred the interior for more than a decade.