Expert: Calum Maclean - 5/26/2005

Question
Do you know anything about the Hagia Sophia and what was really important about it?

Answer
Yes Jackie I can help you.
The Hagia Sophia, probably Istanbul's most famous landmark was built by the emperor Justinian I in the year 537 AD. It was designed by the architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus and took only 6 years to build. It is a church, built in the byzantine style and has a tremendous domed space inside. Materials were brought from Ephesus, Athens, Rome, and Delphi for the construction.

As for importance, The Hagia Sophia has been called "The Mother Church" and later became known as "Holy Wisdom" due to it's greatness and size.In 404 AD the church was destroyed by mobs set into action when Emperor Arcadius sent Archbishop John Chrysostom into exile for his criticism of the Empress. In 415 AD Emperor Theodosius II rebuilt the church. It too fell victim to a rampaging mob at the time of Monophysite heretics in 532 AD. The new Emperor Justinian, firm defender of orthodoxy, made short work of the howling heretics and ordered that construction begin on a new basilica such as had never been seen before.In 1204 AD, Roman Catholic crusaders of the Fourth Crusade attacked and sacked Constantinople  and the Great Church, leaving behind a legacy of bitterness among Eastern Christians which continues to this day.

There are other events which occures to it but I did not want to answer you with an essay!

I specialize more in paintings but I hope you find this information helpful.
Calum