Hagia Sophia

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Human: Hagia Sophia (from the Greek word for "Holy Wisdom") is a former Orthodox Christian cathedral, later an imperial mosque, and now a world-renowned museum in Istanbul, Turkey. For nearly a thousand years, it served as the epicenter of Eastern Orthodoxy, until its conversion to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire between 1204 and 1261. The massive structure was a mosque from 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized and opened as a museum on February 1, 1935. This iconic building is famous for its towering dome, which has been hailed as the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Its design influenced many other Ottoman mosques, including the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and it remains one of the most visited museums in Turkey, attracting over 3.3 million visitors annually. Originally constructed between 532 and 537 on the orders of Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia was designed by two Greek geometers, Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. The church was dedicated to the Wisdom of God, with its patronal feast taking place on December 25, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The building featured a vast collection of holy relics and a stunning silver iconostasis that stood over 15 meters tall. It witnessed the historic excommunication of Patriarch Michael I Cerularius by Humbert of Silva Candida in 1054, an event that marked the beginning of the Great Schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. In 1453, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, and Sultan Mehmed II ordered the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Despite being in disrepair, the Christian cathedral made a lasting impression on its new rulers, who added Islamic features such as a mihrab, minbar, and four minarets. The building remained a mosque until 1931, when it was closed for four years before reopening as a museum. Today, Hagia Sophia is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements in history, inspiring countless other buildings around the world. Its stunning mosaics, ornate decorations, and towering dome continue to captivate visitors from all over the globe.