Hagia Sophia, the largest church in Byzantium, was the center of Eastern Christianity during its period. First built in 360 by Emperor Constantine, who gave the city its name, the church, which was burned twice in the riots, was rebuilt in 532-537 in accordance with Emperor Iustinianos ‘ plans to unite the old Roman Empire. Its architects were the geometry scholar Isidoros of Miletus and the mathematician Antemios of Tralles. The church was dedicated to Teia Sophia, Holy Wisdom. Hagia Sophia, the largest church in the world at the time, was then only St. Mary’s in London. Paul studied at San Pietro in Rome and the Duomo in Milan. The dome, previously used in circle-planned structures, is located here on a four-corner basilical plan. When Fatih Sultan Mehmed conquered the city, it was converted into a mosque, and then four minarets were added. The mosaics, which were covered in plaster in 1750, were cleaned by Whittmore when the museum was built in 1934. Established 17 years ago for restoration but
