#justinidora

Hagia Sophia

The original Church on this site wss built in the 4th century during the reign of Constantius II, the son of Constantine the Great. It was burned down in the Nika Rebellion and the current Church was opened during the reign of Justinian in the year 537.

In 1054, delegates from the Roman Church went to Hagia Sophia and excommunicated the Byzantine Christians. When the Byzantines retaliated, this began the schism between the Roman Catholic and Byzantine Orthodox Churches.

In 1453 when Mehmet II conquered Constantinople for the Ottoman Turks he had it converted to a mosque. It would go on to inspire other domed mosques in the city.

In the 20th century when the Ottoman empire ended the secularist Atatürk made it a museum. This decision was reversed this year in July 2020 as Erdoğan had it reconverted to a mosque.

The Remains of the Hippodrome

While neither the Hippodrome nor the Byzantine palace (which was attached to it) survive, the area where they were can still be found. There are two Egyptian obelisks in the centre of the city and the serpent column which are the only remains of the Hippodrome site. Chariot races and other entertainments (such as bear fights and Theodora’s own dancing) took place here. This is where the Nika Rebellion originated, which was put down after Theodora persuaded Justinian not to flee when it was at its height.

The San Vitale Mosaics