The Hagia Sophia (in Greek Ἁγία Σοφία) is one of the most famous churches in all of Christendom. Prior to the building of Saint Peters in Rome, it was the Christian church. The current iteration built by the Emperor Justinian in the 7th century served as the center for Christendom until its fall to the Muslim Turks in the 15th century. For 500 years, it served as a mosque until Atatürk turned it into a state museum.
The Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest landmarks in history and merits an extensive visit. In fact, I spent 24 hours on a train from Romania to Istanbul just for the opportunity to walk through its halls and visit its famed dome. However, travel is a bit extensive. Here is an exceptional 3D, interactive tour of the Hagia Sophia. Don’t worry about the Greek on the website (unless you happen to know modern Greek). The information in the tour itself is actually english. You can pan, zoom, turn, examine close-ups, etc. It takes a minute to load, so be patient! If you really enjoy Byzantine history, I highly recommend that you follow @Byzantinephil on Twitter
If you’re interested in other interactive museum exhibits, check out my earlier post: “The Best Online & Interactive Museum Exhibits“
Michael Hulshof-Schmidt
July 30, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Great post. The Hagia Sophia has been on my “Bucket List” for the past 25 years. I hope I actually get to see it in person.
Jennifer Lockett
July 30, 2011 at 2:26 pm
You should! I went there when I was 20 and desperately want to go back. It’s one of the most amazing places I’ve ever visited. Istanbul is gorgeous as well.
Jennifer Lockett
July 30, 2011 at 2:26 pm
What are you doing will all of your millions of dollars from being in education?
Michael Hulshof-Schmidt
July 30, 2011 at 2:33 pm
I fear I have wasted my millions buying all sorts of new technologies
Laurence O'Bryan
August 23, 2011 at 8:30 am
Hi,
Great post. You can see some photos of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia I took this summer here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/lpobryan/
I have a book coming out in Jan 2012 about what may lie beneath HS!
See more at:
http://lpobryan.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/are-there-hidden-crypts-under-hagia-sophia/
All the best,
Laurence