The Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is a magnificent building in Istanbul, Turkey. It was first built as a Christian church almost 1,500 years ago. Later, it became a mosque, then a museum, and it is now a mosque again. Its giant dome and beautiful mosaics make it one of the most impressive buildings in the world.

The Amazing Dome

The dome of the Hagia Sophia is about 105 feet wide and 180 feet above the floor. When it was first built, people were amazed that such a huge dome could stay up. A ring of small windows around the base of the dome lets in sunlight. The light makes the dome seem to float in the air like magic.

A Building with Many Lives

The Hagia Sophia was the world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. When the Ottoman Turks captured the city in 1453, they turned it into a mosque. They added tall minarets on the outside. In 1934, it became a museum so everyone could visit. It became a mosque again in 2020.

Fun Facts

• The Hagia Sophia was built in just five years, which was incredibly fast for such a huge building.
• Over 10,000 workers helped build it using materials from all over the Roman Empire.
• The building has survived earthquakes, fires, and wars for nearly 1,500 years.

Did You Know?

The name Hagia Sophia means 'Holy Wisdom' in Greek. It is not named after a person called Sophia.