Hagia sophia as a synthesis of the types of Byzantine temple architecture and an example of the Byzantine building culture of the IV-VI centuries

The towering minarets of Hagia Sophia tower over the skyline of Istanbul, Turkey. The magnificent stone basilica has been an integral part of the ancient city for 1500 years — with frequent additions and renovations. The spiritual structure has survived empires and transitional religions. What began as an early Christian basilica eventually became a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again. An architectural wonder, the Hagia Sophia (which means “holy wisdom” in Greek) has a fascinating history and is a favorite attraction for tourists and believers. This building has survived the crusades, world wars and huge political upheavals, but its legacy is central to both Turkish history and the world.