Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia) is known as a magnificent architectural work with worldwide reputation. Why is this structure, which has been a church for 916 years and a mosque for 482 years, so famous? What are the features of this structure, which is visited by millions of tourists every year?
History of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia:
In order for us to look at the history of Hagia Sophia, we must first look at the history of Istanbul, hence the Roman Empire and the process of Christianization of the Roman Empire:
The capital of the Roman Empire, as it is known, is in Rome. The crucifixion and murder and resurrection of Jesus Christ by the Romans (MS.33) after, the disciples of Jesus Christ begin to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, especially in the cities of the Roman Empire.
Because it does not conform to the political and cultural structure of the Roman Empire, Christianity is considered a forbidden religion. Because of this ban, Christians have been persecuted at the hands of different emperors for 300 years. The culmination of this persecution is M.It happens in the time of Diocletian, who was Emperor between 284 and 305 P. In the city called Nicomedia, located in today's Izmit region, the battle for the throne begins after Diocletian, who ruled the Roman Empire from his summer palace, dies. The four commanders engage in battle among themselves. From this battle for the throne, Constantine emerges victorious and ascends to the throne of the Roman Empire. Constantine sees the sign “XP” in a dream, in the heavens, before his last victory that will make him emperor. This sign comes from the ancient Greek word ”Χριστός” (Christ). This allows him to move closer to Christianity, and together with Constantine, the Christians are freed from nearly 300 years of persecution.
Constantine then declares The Empire's capital Byzantium instead of Rome. Byzantium is today a region called Sultanahmet or the historical peninsula. The selection of this region is strategically important. As a peninsula, it is more strongly defensible and has a central position between East and West.
Constantine M.In 330, he moved the capital of the Roman Empire to this region and named it Nova Rome, that is, New Rome. After Constantine's death, people call the city Constantinople, which means the city of Constantine.