HAGIA SOPHIA
Location: Instanbul, Turkey
Hagia Sophia (from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia; Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople of the Western Crusader established Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul by
David Spender, on Flickr
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul by
linkahwai, on Flickr
Istanbul. Saint Sophia cathedral. by
lights2008, on Flickr
Turkey-3019 - Hagia Sophia by
archer10 (Dennis), on Flickr
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul at dusk by
David Spender, on Flickr