Hagia Sophia (Greek: Άγια Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"), Sancta Sophia in Latin or Aya Sofya in Turkish, is a former church building (basilica) and the mosque, now a museum in Istanbul. Because it has two functions, namely as mosques and churches, in this museum can be found two symbols for Christians and Muslims
The period of the Byzantine Empire
Until 1453, the Hagia Sophia cathedral is the church (basilica) Byzantines built by Constantius, the son of Constantine the Great. The church is frequently hit by earthquakes and downs, though the dome-shaped building is made. On May 7 558, at the time of Emperor Justinian, the eastern dome collapsed after an earthquake hit. On October 26 986, in the reign of Emperor Basil II (958-1025, re affected by the earthquake.
Finally, extensive renovations carried out so as not affected by the earthquake at the beginning of the 14th century. The specialty of this building lies in a large dome shape and height. Tenghnya size 30 m. Height and fundamennya 54 m. The interior is decorated with mosaics and frescoes, poles are made of colored marble, and walls decorated with carvings.
Ottoman Turkish Period
When Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople on Tuesday, May 27, 1453 and entered the city, Mehmed II dismounted and prostrated gratitude to God, then went to the Hagia Sophia Church and ordered turned it into a mosque known as the Aya Sofia. Jum'atnya directly converted into a mosque for Friday prayers.
Various modifications to the building to be done to fit the pattern and style of mosque building. At the time of Mehmed II (1444-1446 and 1451-1481) built the tower in the south. Selim II (1566-1574) to build two towers and convert part of the building is characterized by the church. Including changing the sign of the cross on display at the top of the dome with crescent decoration.
Then for almost 500 years the Hagia Sophia serves as a mosque. The statue, cross, and his paintings had been removed or covered with paint.
Period of the 'Modern'
In 1937, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk changed the status of Hagia Sophia into a museum. Begin the project "Demolition Hagia Sophia". Some parts of the walls and ceiling scraped off the paint-paint calligraphy until rediscovered paintings of Christian sacred.
Since then, Aya Sofya mosque as one of the famous tourist attraction in Istanbul by the Turkish government. The value of history covered Byzantine architectural style fascinating.
The letters in the Hagia Sophia Mosque
Here exhibited caliph letters that show the greatness of the Ottoman caliphate in securing, protecting, and prosperity of its citizens or foreigners indiscriminately asylum seekers. The oldest is the letter of certificate of land granted in 1519 to Jewish refugees who fled from the cruel Spanish Inquisition after the fall of Islamic rule in Al-Andalus.
Then a letter of thanks from the Government of the United States for food aid sent kholifah to it that was hit by famine (post-war with England) the 18th century. Then the letters of guarantee protection to the King of Sweden who expelled the Russians and exiles danced to kholifah on 7 Agustus1709.
Letter dated 13 Robi'ul End 1282 H (5 September1865) who gave permission and fees to the 30 families who emigrated to Greece Rusianamun return to the caliphate, in Russia precisely because they are miserable. The latest legislation is duty-free luggage Russian people who seek exile to the caliphate after the Bolshevik Revolution of 25 Desember1920 M.
Here, approximately 100 samples exhibited remarkable letters, both addressed and that issued to kholifah. Unfortunately, you'll enjoy is the evidence if it is a testament to the greatness like the Turks, did not emanate from the creed, the Shari'ah and the Islamic Khilafah system.
