Continued existence of the Turkish state, between the years 1299-1923. Eastern Europe, Southwest Asia and North Africa, and expanded its territory until the 16th century, the most powerful empire the world has become.
@SLPgoogle ...It is not a museum as Turks want to call it . IT IS A MONUMENT. They are extremelly afraid to call it as such......All hummanity knows by common sence that a museum is the building.... that includes the exhibits...A building like Agia Sofia, or the Parthenon ,or the Colosieum ARE MONUMENTS ....Not buildings....It is like calling Stonehenge......a museum instead of a monument ....Simply a rediculus assuption.....
@amapola284 OK, thanks, point well taken -- no doubt this is a Byzantine creation, yes, the ultimate Byzantine creation and that should always be the emphasis, agreed.
forever a symbol of pride and conquer by the Ottoman Sultans !
Long live Turkiye and Islam !
If anyone is asking for Hagia Sophia to be a church, then tell the Americans to give america back to the Red Indians, and tell the Australians to give australia back to the aborigines. Otherwise sssshhhh !
Long live Hagia Sophia.. Jesus son of Maryam belongs to Islam, NOT to Greece.
This is not a church it's a mosque please stop spreading propaganda. The prophet Muhammed(pbuh) promised the muslims that we will conquer this place the Stupid Ataturk the jew made this into a museum while it's supposed to be a mosque.
I am not gay thanks!. More rubbish being spewed out. No mosques converted to churches, its the other way round! Read and learn some history. The Byzantine empire was largely made up of Greek speaking people , a fusion of cultures. I dont have a complex, you do, hence your twisted version of history. All mosque design was copied from Agia Sophia, hence the domes. When you entered the City, you thought you were in heaven! Dont insult me or my history please.
dear gay greek neighbours.. more than 300 ottoman mosques converted to churches by greeks.and a lot of mosques destroyed by greeks...meanwhile aya sofia is not mosque..just a museum.. and greeks didin't built it.. it was roman..Inferiority complex is really boring...
Well done, top marks for pure Turkish propaganda. Early turks! rubbish. there were no such thing as Turks at the time. No mention of the word Greek anywhere. Shame on you denniscallan, you insult my history and my church.
If you would listen to my talk, from 2minutes to 3 into the clip, you hear me talk about Roman engineering and a "synthesis of cultures" that were responsible for building Hagia Sophia. No offense intended, but the Greeks didn't build domes at that time. From my many videos on Greece you might find that I love Greek culture and admire the amazing history they created. Next time try not to be so insulting.
You mention the word Greek after 5:57s, i still stand by my criticism that you credit early Turks with the building. Turks at this time would have been tribe near Mongolia, not the Aegean coast. This angers me, misinformation that is playing into the hands of Turkish propaganda. You really need to think about this carefully, before posting as this is a very sensitive subject, not only to Greeks, but to all Orthodox Christians around the world. Posts from our Turkish friend show who we deal with.
Please may I ask any muslim why Agia Sophia was converted to a mosque when Constantinople fell in 1453?When Umar ibn al-Khattab took Jerusalem in April 637 after a prolonged seige,Umar came personally to receive the key to the city by the Greek Orthodox patriarch,Sophronius, who invited Umar to offer Muslim prayers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.Umar chose to pray some distance from the Church,so as not to endanger its status as a Christian church.Why was this precedent not followed?Thanks
Force of Arms, in latin referred to as Vi et Armis or Armorum VI, in which ownership has always been established by force; originally by the "Force of Arms and latterly by the force of law. We are all descendants and have become the successors in title to the goods taken from our ancestors by force of arms.
"Force of Arms" is a completely legitimate way of transferring ownership of territory,treasure and artifacts etc, even when good guys lose. Just ask the Americans they are experts on "Force of Arms". The Hagia Sophia belongs rightfully to the Turkish Government and therefore they are under no moral obligations.
I'm glad I live in a city that appreciates works of art and mourns the destruction of religions respectively. Why perpetuate violence? so sad...go to college!
Did you know that AT LEAST 2 MILLION Christians were killed through genocide in Turkey, during World War I. These were civilians, born in Turkey, because historically, Turkey was Armenian and Greek. 1.5 MILLION Armenians were slaughtered, in addition to 500,000 Greeks!!! This is an abomination to man, and it is forgotten. What makes the Turkish genocide worse than Hitler's, was that the Germans admitted to it, and Turks wont. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT MY CHANNEL, IF YOU REALIZE THE TRUTH, ADD ME!!!!
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was not a moaque or had anything to do with turkish culture greek byzantine christianity justinian was a Greek the byzantine empire was the new Rome the encorparated Greek culture not turkish
I am sure the Christians would have done a much better job maintaining it. It is in very bad shape, unlike the Blue Mosque across from it. If you love it so much restore it to its former glory.
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The Temple of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) is dedicated to Jesus Christ who is the Wsdom of God, "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:24)
jews? jews doesnt acsept jesus and they think they kiled jesus and they call mary is whore and u say jews respeckt that place muhaha dont make me lough
we didnt stole nothing that is promise from god to us god give us to proteckt that place its not church its mosque put it your brain and turkey will always stay muslum until the world end
@TurkshFtr You are right there is no Bisanzium any more, but in the hearts of many educated weternes. Ezra Pound titled one of his poems saling from Bysanzium....
The reality is that you guys conquer it with war, and you keep Samcta Sophia. On a parallel trak the only country not allowed to keep what it conquered is the state of Israel. What a world! Salam my friend.
Hey come on guys, its history. It's not only the Turks bashing Byzantine case. It happens evrywhere. Take a look at Seville Cathedral(the largest in the world per sq ft)it was formerly a mosque built my the moors. When the spaniard seized the city they turned it to a church. What is so wrong about the turks turning it to a mosque? In fact, the turks were generous enuff to turn it to a museum, so that there's no more dispute. Unlike the turks, Seville cathedral is still a cathedral to dis day.
"JoeCentennial" Thank you for teaching my foreign friends to west of Turkiye few pointers obout how tolarant turks are or have behaved. Beautiful point about the "Seville Cathedral being a cathedral to this day what was mosque once." lOVE SPAIN I did visit Barcelona.
Tolerant Turks. lmao. The only tolerance you have is for your biased / totalitarian country. Kemal Ataturk is rolling in his grave like crazy to see you Turks still acting like Ottomans.
To the Author once again this is a Cathedral Consecrated and Dedicated by They Early Church Fathers that Helped create a Mysyery Between the Fathers (Church) and the Holy Spirit, What the Moslems have done is called Desecration,and disrepect to Christ,They are Barbaric to do this to this Cathedral.
You can never or you have never been able to take away the history of Hagia Sophia,The Fathers of the Church Consecrated her to the Holy Spirit,so plaster her all you want Jesus still rules the building and he awaits you patiently,do not be afraid,he is loving and kind and forgiving.
It's not 'Byzantine', but Eastern Roman. The Great new Roman capital, in its arts and architecture, obviously, wasn't going to exactly resemble the obsolete pagan capital. :-) It's still very very genuinely Roman. For the rest, I'm sure the audience knew what the guide meant.
A church, a mosque, a museum whatever. The most important thing is this building is the ultimate symbol of integration of the best of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.
A legacy of its own, the Greeks and Turks should both relinquish their hatreds and animosity against each other; embrace each other like how this monument blends these 2 cultures in 1 entity. Peace!
the legacy is of a greco-roman one. The Ottomans were inspired by this genius. There was no fusion as you say. The greeks were unwilling to fuse with the Ottomans as they were with the Romans. Try not to politicize.
stop talking shit. there is no fussion The turks were a nomadic tribe traveling the earth for plunder at the time of its construction. Really learn your history. What is this fussion you speak of? Pleas explain
Let me ask you have the nomadic tribes you talk about,did they ever spill greek blood in the agean? Did they desecrate all Churches,Did they Commit Genocide to Armenians and Assyrians?
I'm no judge jury or executioner. I don't care what the turks did. Of course they spilled blood and tried to control the people. I'm a fan of history and the Ottomans didn't contribute to the construction of Hagia Sophia. Nor did they influence Byzantine art, architecture etc. If anything, the Ottomans emulated as best they could the Roman world. However, there is no lineage as implied by this pseudo-fusion. If anything the turks caused fission which is still felt today in the balkans
It is ABSURD to split hairs: we are all the same cultural strains, taking differing paths in this or that direction for a few centuries but then coming back.
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it would be fair to state that we all take from the byzantine strain. The Ottomans got the byzantine political system, Western Europe got Byzantium's wisdom and art, Eastern Europe got The religion of byzantium
Well put; on the last point I can recall visiting the Romanian orthodox churches----the entire mass is sung and every inch of the interior is covered in mosaic; stylized according to the Byzantine manner.
Hagia was transformed for political reasons being the court church. Adminstration: use of existing "Byzantine" formate, added/replaced new aristocracy level-taxation system modified from Roman-Byzantine. Court: Byzantine etiquette + Turk elements. Use of eunuchs, duke/count system, etc. Late Byzantine. Coinage: Byzantine.Road, hydrolic, communication system Byzantine (L.Roman/from Hellenistic). Economy: Court silk industry,
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The Church was converted because Islam prohibits other non-islamic buildings not to be higher then their Mosques - it was a cultural thing. Oh wow...the Ottomans used Byzantine technology (but did they improve upon it? no.) like other middle-eastern countries of today: they adapt to the technological, court system, attire aspects to some extent this the Ottomans did in order to stay in the game, HOWEVER, it didn't make competitive but sloppy.
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Because in the end the Ottomans were backward due to the dependence on Greek intermediaries - i.e. janissaries, interpreters, and ambassadors etc. Islamic teachings as well promoted anti-capitalism, anti-secularity, anti- what have you. The Ottomans were knowned to be imitators ad nauseam of other grandious cultures.
guys, one way or another all people should be able to express their believes in Agia Sofia. Even if you are Catholic or Orthodox you should be able to worship your god in there. Agia Sofia is a Holy place for a great number of people, not a damn museum guarded by armed officers.
The Ottomans were a continuation of the Graeco-Roman tradition in all ways but as each had, added distinctive qualities to the mix. Now, in 2007 we are all its heirs. But us go back to the earliest pre-monotheistic tradition & learn respect and tolerance. And honor one another. Hagia Sophia is Divine Wisdom as any true monk or Sufi knows.
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The Ottomans weren't a continuation of the Greco-roman tradtions. Need examples? Well for one thing, they (ottomans) fought in a non-western format, they destroyed or converted Churches into Mosques, their attire was a Middle-eastern style. The only thing Roman or Greek of the Ottomans was they took the name Caesar. However they also took titles of other conquered peoples, in reality the Ottomans aren't anything but pretenders to the throne.
Ottoman architecture: all the elements of arch, dome, squinch & buttress from L.Antique. Use of terracing, Hellenistic viewing platforms, etc. The Classical koine.Decorative arts: Byzantine (L.Roman/Hellenistic)iconography & technique. Churches were turned into mosques only if head tax not paid & communities converted.
One important distinction is that after the fall of the Roman Empire in 1453, most arts and letters ended in that part of the world. A very greek and roman tradition, So what is this you speak of a continuation? There was no batton passed. Aside from the batton that was wacked over the head of all remaining greeks forced into subjugation. Relearn your history JHSibal
I care what belongs to the Orthodox,If the Turks Consider themselves a Democratic Nation,Then Where is the Freedom of Religion?
Why does the UN hold iy high on HUman Rights?
Being able to be like the Western world and go to coffe shops during the day,and discotques in the evening does not mean democracy.Democracy is Seperation of church.. and State,In your case Mosque and state.
Your claim about Turks destroyed or converted is misleading we still have 350 churches in Istanbul we have zillion churches how many do yu have in Athens except one that was converted to museum. One more that they are building in 2008 You Greeks are good at smear campaign. What happened to other 30-40 or more mosques?
Selanik had over 100 today how many Mosques maybe one or two? Go Google Earth and see all churches from air in Istanbul. Come to Turkey=Turkiye maybe you learn something.
Turks converted many grandiose Churches or Basilicas into Mosques that existed during the E. Roman Empire. The Turks, however, to replace these grandiose Churches in Constantinople for their conquered natives had to make new (smaller) Churches for them. In Greece mosques are hardly anywhere that's, because all the Turks were exiled to Turkey for other Greeks in return. The few Mosques that remain in Greece are for the Albanians.
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we mean there is thousund church remaining in turkey from byzantian time we didnt destroy them but there is no mosque remain in grece from ottoman time ?why u destroyed them we have no greek or cristian people in turkey but we didnt destroy churches why u destroyed our mosques?
Constantinople had a mosque for the needs of the Muslim visitors even from the 8th century! Now, you asked the mosques were destroyed after the revolution? 1) Because the Ottomans were conquerors 2)Because of the nationalism, Kemal did the same thing. Do not forget that the Ottomans found all those churches in the places they occupied whereas the mosques were built in occupied places. The Byzantines never came to your places to destroy your churches as the Ottomans did against the Byzantines.
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do u think anatolia is byzantine place? they ocupied there too from trojans hitits armanians and etc what did u do our mosques in greece why u destroyed them see we still respeckting your churches and taking care of them
My friend, the Ottomans retained the Churches because they tunred most of them into mosques like they did with Hagia Sophia. Christians did the same with the temples of the ancient greek religions. But there was no need for the Greeks to turn the mosques into churches because they had already their churches. And the mosques were a sumbol of oppression.
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In any case anatolia was not an Ottoman or Muslim place. And when they became part of the Roman Empire, what today we call Byzantium, Mohammet had not been born yet.
before roman and byzantine come there there was sumerians babilonians an persians and armenians and trojans was living there u ocupied that place than we come we took it thats all my friend
In Ottoman times many Churches (especially the flamboyant ones) were converted into Mosques, as a way to give incentives to their conquered Christian people to convert to Islam or be highly taxe & be a second class citizen. etc. The Greeks after achieving their independance in 1821 / 1830 destroyed some or many Mosques as a way to get rid of their oppressor's presence and laws.
p.ss. The only Muslims nowadays in Greece are mostly Albanians.
so we must do the same destroy hagia sofia and thosusund churches in turkey which is remain from byzantine we never tuch none of them we didnt convert anychurche to mosque expect aia sofia but i say again u terorise muslums kiled them and destroyed their churches me and u diferent faith i have mercy u have hate
No. What Turkey must do is hand over Hagia Sophia over to the Orthodox Christians in order to gain acceptance from Greeks. Do not deny that the Ottomans didn't convert many churches in NON-MUSLIM lands into Mosques, because they did. I have already given my answer to why Greeks would have destroyed, dismantled or unconvert Mosques into Orthodox churches.
By the way, I have great respect for Muslims; especially for Arabs.
hand over hagia sofia?muhaha u must joking u first make mosques again whish u destroy in balkans than u can talk about hagia sofia now u have no business talk about it
Sooner or later the Turks shall hand over the Hagia Sophia to Orthodox Christians. Why build Mosques in Greece or in Eastern Europe (in an almost non-muslim country)?? Muslims are founded in huge numbers in Bosnia and Albania. You're just being irrational about the matter at hand - like every other Turk.
Of course Turkey is not a Christian country, however, the Hagia Sophia church has been the oldest (magnificent) structure to represent Christianity. It was converted to a Mosque because the Sultan saw it with great potential of becoming his lair as well as his place of worship. Not to mention an excellent way to convert Christians; and as way to show Ottoman dominance. I think it's time for the Turks to let go of this structure because it really doesn't belong to them spirtually & historically.
Gibbons writes about "..the triumph of Christianity and barbarism.." and he caught it right: always nice to watch Christians and Muslims hurl insults at each other as the ice caps met and avian flu creeps into the West. H.Sophia is Late Antique Roman & one of the most inspirational buildings existing, reusing much from the Pagan past. It is an old process,as "Captured Greece made Rome Captive" Sinan brilliantly made use of H.Sophia in his works.
Well, those Greeks considered themselves Roman... everyone knows that. That being said... there are no more "Romans". Italy was overrun by the hordes time and time again... Roman is distinct from Italian. There are no more "Romans" (historically speaking, of course).
Very untrue.. There is no prof of this great horde invasion as you say. When the epicenter of the roman world was moved to Constantinoupolis Rome didn't matter anymore
(from the previous) Also, you mentioned that Greek was Istanbul's main language. This is not entirely accurate. Greek was CONSTANTINOPLE'S main language. Even the word "Istanbul" is Greek! It is a (bastardized) derivative of the Greek phrase, "Eis tin poli", meaning "To the City". Istanbul refers to the name of the city AFTER the turks took over. To the Greeks, it will always be known as Constantinople, and her history is entirely Greek.
Dennis, nice commentary.... but not entirely accurate. You are completely ignoring the fact that the Eastern Byzantine Empire was HELLENISTIC! The architects of Agia Sophia were GREEKS from Asia Minor. This structure is the par excellence example of Byzantine architecture, but you can't say that Romans (i.e. Latin Romans from the West) were responsible for its building, or that the turks had any influence at all. (continued)
You;re incorrect. There was no distinction between western and eastern romans. It's like creating distinction between NYC and Houston. The Romans were greek. All things in Rome was greek. A greek slave was worth a lambourghini in todays dollars. The elite spoke greek.
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The was built and still stands by the grace of God. It makes me sick to see what the muslims have done to it. I pray that one day this Holy place may once again belong to Orthodox Christians. May God forgive the people who stole/destroyed this sacred church. It brings tears to my eyes to see what the world is coming to. Again I pray for them, for they truly do not know what they do. FREE AGIA SOPHIA
Great Video Reference, and useful information in terms of explaining Byzantine Architecture's place in the History of Architecture, the Hagia Sophia definitely is one of the crowning achievements of the Byzantine Empire.
La France qui est le pays des droits de l'homme est aussi le PREMIER investisseur etranger en Turquie tout en AVOUANT que les Turcs ont commis le genocide du premier peuple CHRETIEN du monde, les Armeniens. Ces femmes turques au look occidentale sur les affiches publicitaires dans le metro ne sont en faite que la descendance des armeniennes et grecques que le monstre turc a VIOLEES dans le temps. Prendre ses vacances en Turquie c'est NIER le genocide Armenien. Francais, PAS sinceres!
What an imbecile, hollow and pompous French this 'insidebetween'. Instead of your misplaced pretence, you'd advocate your 'democratic' state to give back to the world all the stolen collections in your bloody Louvre.
back the stolen collections of the world in the Louvre, the museum paid with genocide.
What an imbecile, hollow and pompous French this 'insidebetween'. Instead of your misplaced pretence, you'd better advocate your 'democratic' state to give back to the world all the stolen collections in your bloody Louvre.
The people that lived in Constantinoupolis thought themselves Roman. There was no Byzantine Empire. It was known as " Basiliki Romaion" which in greek means the Kingdom of Rome. So the Greeks of today come from Rome
Sorry its not. first church was made by constantinius he was born in sırbia.byzantion name ( used by german historians )at 18.century.ım a east roman historian.
Hagia Sophia is a wonder, it was a wonder in its time for Architecture. But it is now another wonder; a true evidence of nations, religions, cultures that can stand together in a city. Without insulting eachother for past or future; even you guys can not stop insulting other beliefs and you can still talk about Jesus Christ, who have said "God is love"...
the Holy Roman Empire is a name that was created to create prestige. There was no direct lineage to Rome. The Byzantine Empire became part of the lexicon. Blame the historian Edward Gibbon for coining the name. Also blame him for painting such an abysmal picture of the christian Roman Empire
Selimiye Mosque in Edirne which is the master work of Architect Koca Sinan is builded to compete with Hagia Sophia And its dome size and height is larger than all those churches. Sinan in his 96 years life always compete with previous architects and passed them in his last years. Just an interesting info about an old eager man Koca Sinan .
do you also know which time periods they were constructed?how old hagia sophia is?our mosques are inspired by byzantian architecture,we should admit it!!
where did you learn this history budalla, kotzam budalla. Agia sofia has nothing to do with turks. Bitter and twisted fate brought it to barbaric Turkish hands. The church was built by Greeks and is Greek for the glory of God's holy wisdom "AGIA SOFIA"
Oh another owner. When I was visiting Hagia Sophia in summer 2005 there was an italian couple next to me and the man was swearing to barbarian Turks since the church was Roman so it must belong to italy :) when I looked him he understood I was a Turk knowing Italian he leaved there in a hurry. i just looked :)
Influences of the early Turks??? is this guy kidding me? the architects of this church were Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, both Greek. The Turks did not enter this geographical area until 8 or 9 centuries later! If you're going to teach history, teach it properly.
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OTTOMAN EMPİRE
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Continued existence of the Turkish state, between the years 1299-1923. Eastern Europe, Southwest Asia and North Africa, and expanded its territory until the 16th century, the most powerful empire the world has become.
TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ
harbiye100 3 months ago
5:51 θεία σοφία wow
revan0400 4 months ago
(1) The dome is not of stone, but of cement. (2) The building is used as a museum today, not as a church.
SLPgoogle 9 months ago
@SLPgoogle ...It is not a museum as Turks want to call it . IT IS A MONUMENT. They are extremelly afraid to call it as such......All hummanity knows by common sence that a museum is the building.... that includes the exhibits...A building like Agia Sofia, or the Parthenon ,or the Colosieum ARE MONUMENTS ....Not buildings....It is like calling Stonehenge......a museum instead of a monument ....Simply a rediculus assuption.....
remali2013 5 months ago
that's absolutly Byzantine.No other words
freebassist 11 months ago
@amapola284 OK, thanks, point well taken -- no doubt this is a Byzantine creation, yes, the ultimate Byzantine creation and that should always be the emphasis, agreed.
denniscallan 1 year ago
forever a symbol of pride and conquer by the Ottoman Sultans !
Long live Turkiye and Islam !
If anyone is asking for Hagia Sophia to be a church, then tell the Americans to give america back to the Red Indians, and tell the Australians to give australia back to the aborigines. Otherwise sssshhhh !
Long live Hagia Sophia.. Jesus son of Maryam belongs to Islam, NOT to Greece.
Forever Islamic !
ArabianRhythm 1 year ago
@ArabianRhythm Idiot!Long live Christian!Jesus is a God!Ave Christi!
ginterka381996 1 month ago
This is not a church it's a mosque please stop spreading propaganda. The prophet Muhammed(pbuh) promised the muslims that we will conquer this place the Stupid Ataturk the jew made this into a museum while it's supposed to be a mosque.
Christian2Allah 1 year ago
@Christian2Allah church not a mosque
ROBHUGHES1453 1 year ago
@Christian2Allah hey wanker ataturk is not jew first and secont hagiia sofie turn to musem in 1960 s 20 years after ataturk death
TurkshFtr 3 months ago
Excellent church architecture
GeeseMan4real 1 year ago
I am not gay thanks!. More rubbish being spewed out. No mosques converted to churches, its the other way round! Read and learn some history. The Byzantine empire was largely made up of Greek speaking people , a fusion of cultures. I dont have a complex, you do, hence your twisted version of history. All mosque design was copied from Agia Sophia, hence the domes. When you entered the City, you thought you were in heaven! Dont insult me or my history please.
MMiskos 1 year ago
dear gay greek neighbours.. more than 300 ottoman mosques converted to churches by greeks.and a lot of mosques destroyed by greeks...meanwhile aya sofia is not mosque..just a museum.. and greeks didin't built it.. it was roman..Inferiority complex is really boring...
CRAZYHARPOON 1 year ago
Well done, top marks for pure Turkish propaganda. Early turks! rubbish. there were no such thing as Turks at the time. No mention of the word Greek anywhere. Shame on you denniscallan, you insult my history and my church.
MMiskos 1 year ago
If you would listen to my talk, from 2minutes to 3 into the clip, you hear me talk about Roman engineering and a "synthesis of cultures" that were responsible for building Hagia Sophia. No offense intended, but the Greeks didn't build domes at that time. From my many videos on Greece you might find that I love Greek culture and admire the amazing history they created. Next time try not to be so insulting.
denniscallan 1 year ago 4
You mention the word Greek after 5:57s, i still stand by my criticism that you credit early Turks with the building. Turks at this time would have been tribe near Mongolia, not the Aegean coast. This angers me, misinformation that is playing into the hands of Turkish propaganda. You really need to think about this carefully, before posting as this is a very sensitive subject, not only to Greeks, but to all Orthodox Christians around the world. Posts from our Turkish friend show who we deal with.
MMiskos 1 year ago
this guy never mentions greek, but the early turks as designers.
another xenophobe
nico3212 2 years ago
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Please may I ask any muslim why Agia Sophia was converted to a mosque when Constantinople fell in 1453?When Umar ibn al-Khattab took Jerusalem in April 637 after a prolonged seige,Umar came personally to receive the key to the city by the Greek Orthodox patriarch,Sophronius, who invited Umar to offer Muslim prayers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.Umar chose to pray some distance from the Church,so as not to endanger its status as a Christian church.Why was this precedent not followed?Thanks
PebbledBeach 2 years ago
I think I will design a coin, with the influence of the Ottoman design....
Emyousmusa 2 years ago 2
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soxprid1123 2 years ago
Force of Arms, in latin referred to as Vi et Armis or Armorum VI, in which ownership has always been established by force; originally by the "Force of Arms and latterly by the force of law. We are all descendants and have become the successors in title to the goods taken from our ancestors by force of arms.
fromwilliams 2 years ago
"Force of Arms" is a completely legitimate way of transferring ownership of territory,treasure and artifacts etc, even when good guys lose. Just ask the Americans they are experts on "Force of Arms". The Hagia Sophia belongs rightfully to the Turkish Government and therefore they are under no moral obligations.
fromwilliams 2 years ago
I'm glad I live in a city that appreciates works of art and mourns the destruction of religions respectively. Why perpetuate violence? so sad...go to college!
jacksonjaffer 2 years ago
Christian should demolish the Church that they have built inside the Grand Mosque of Cordova in Spain and should hand the mosque back to Muslims.
aristotleuk 2 years ago 6
@aristotleuk no muslims in Cordoba, thank God!
oblatusosb 1 year ago
@aristotleuk Sure! Shall we turn the Kaaba into a stable as well while were at it?
molanlabexm15 1 year ago
why u deleaette ny coment admin r u afraid from free speach u like make propaganda against turks u r lier
TurkshFtr 3 years ago
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Did you know that AT LEAST 2 MILLION Christians were killed through genocide in Turkey, during World War I. These were civilians, born in Turkey, because historically, Turkey was Armenian and Greek. 1.5 MILLION Armenians were slaughtered, in addition to 500,000 Greeks!!! This is an abomination to man, and it is forgotten. What makes the Turkish genocide worse than Hitler's, was that the Germans admitted to it, and Turks wont. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT MY CHANNEL, IF YOU REALIZE THE TRUTH, ADD ME!!!!
ITSKonstantinoupolis 3 years ago
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was not a moaque or had anything to do with turkish culture greek byzantine christianity justinian was a Greek the byzantine empire was the new Rome the encorparated Greek culture not turkish
gilbertobesanko 3 years ago
that was not a church jesus was muslum
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
Really? You mean he killed many people in his lifetime?
gerardaddict 3 years ago
jesus didnt kill anyone or he didnt say he is god or son of god
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
I am sure the Christians would have done a much better job maintaining it. It is in very bad shape, unlike the Blue Mosque across from it. If you love it so much restore it to its former glory.
jankovicbojan 3 years ago
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The Temple of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) is dedicated to Jesus Christ who is the Wsdom of God, "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:24)
nomust 3 years ago
jews? jews doesnt acsept jesus and they think they kiled jesus and they call mary is whore and u say jews respeckt that place muhaha dont make me lough
TurkshFtr 3 years ago
@TurkshFtr relax dont be so prejudiced against our eldest brothers!
oblatusosb 1 year ago
@oblatusosb hehe
TurkshFtr 1 year ago
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Fuck you Mehmed 2!
gerardaddict 3 years ago
fuck your mother bitch
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
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Remove those 4 fucking ugly discs from Hagia Sophia!
gerardaddict 3 years ago
that is our mosque u fucking no business to do anythink which is in my country get the fuck off
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
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It WAS a mosque, not is, because it is a museum.
gerardaddict 3 years ago
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YOURS. You think that Hagia Sophia is YOURS? Fuck you. It belongs to the Byzantines
gerardaddict 3 years ago
there is no byzantine anymore u fucking stupid that country ours
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
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But you have to admit that your ancestors only stole that structure, so it's not officially yours. The country may be yours but not the CHURCH
gerardaddict 3 years ago
we didnt stole nothing that is promise from god to us god give us to proteckt that place its not church its mosque put it your brain and turkey will always stay muslum until the world end
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
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A promise from your god. Really? If that's the promise, then your ancestors would not steal it from us Christians.
gerardaddict 3 years ago
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that was not church that was mosque and jesus was muslum
TurkshFtr 3 years ago
@TurkshFtr You are right there is no Bisanzium any more, but in the hearts of many educated weternes. Ezra Pound titled one of his poems saling from Bysanzium....
The reality is that you guys conquer it with war, and you keep Samcta Sophia. On a parallel trak the only country not allowed to keep what it conquered is the state of Israel. What a world! Salam my friend.
oblatusosb 1 year ago
Try using byzantine passport to enter Turkiye
maybe you can get as far as Greece but to Turkiye you need a turkish visa or permit,
or a foreign passport that is recognized by all nations. Byzantine???????maybe in 1452 was excepted in 2008 No! you are clueless.
antique50000 3 years ago 2
Hey come on guys, its history. It's not only the Turks bashing Byzantine case. It happens evrywhere. Take a look at Seville Cathedral(the largest in the world per sq ft)it was formerly a mosque built my the moors. When the spaniard seized the city they turned it to a church. What is so wrong about the turks turning it to a mosque? In fact, the turks were generous enuff to turn it to a museum, so that there's no more dispute. Unlike the turks, Seville cathedral is still a cathedral to dis day.
JoeCentennial 3 years ago 2
"JoeCentennial" Thank you for teaching my foreign friends to west of Turkiye few pointers obout how tolarant turks are or have behaved. Beautiful point about the "Seville Cathedral being a cathedral to this day what was mosque once." lOVE SPAIN I did visit Barcelona.
antique50000 3 years ago
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Tolerant Turks. lmao. The only tolerance you have is for your biased / totalitarian country. Kemal Ataturk is rolling in his grave like crazy to see you Turks still acting like Ottomans.
Djmemez 3 years ago
No problem dude. It's all in the facts. ;-)
JoeCentennial 3 years ago
nothing is fact what u saying all propaganda always u seeing twisting fackts u showing good false false good that is u and your culture
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
read more.
JoeCentennial 3 years ago
whatever dude...If you are relying on your ass come and see it in Istanbul before you are judging the Turks. Stop being racist
missfecfer 3 years ago 3
To the Author once again this is a Cathedral Consecrated and Dedicated by They Early Church Fathers that Helped create a Mysyery Between the Fathers (Church) and the Holy Spirit, What the Moslems have done is called Desecration,and disrepect to Christ,They are Barbaric to do this to this Cathedral.
Colts4ever123 3 years ago
no it was the temple of diana of ephesus relocated so done to them who did unto. she is ever divine and crafty (or wise) in these matters.
druidnick 3 years ago
You can never or you have never been able to take away the history of Hagia Sophia,The Fathers of the Church Consecrated her to the Holy Spirit,so plaster her all you want Jesus still rules the building and he awaits you patiently,do not be afraid,he is loving and kind and forgiving.
Colts4ever123 3 years ago
It's not 'Byzantine', but Eastern Roman. The Great new Roman capital, in its arts and architecture, obviously, wasn't going to exactly resemble the obsolete pagan capital. :-) It's still very very genuinely Roman. For the rest, I'm sure the audience knew what the guide meant.
DarkChildOrchestra 3 years ago
"Byantium" and "Eastern Roman Empire" are synonomous.
Constantinople was even referred to as "Rome", until the last couple hundred years before taken by the Turks in 1453..
madmaxninja08 3 years ago
Και η κυράτσα Παναγιά στην πόρτα ακουμπισμένη
Χρυσό μαντήλιν εκρατεί, τα δάκρυα της σφουγγούσε
Και τους μαστόρους έλεγε και τους μαστόρους λέγει
Πάψτε μαστόροι τη δουλειά, μη χάνετε καιρό σας
Εδώ τζαμί δε γίνεται, για να λαλούν χοτζάδες,
εδώ θα μένει η Αγια Σοφιά
nomust 3 years ago
A church, a mosque, a museum whatever. The most important thing is this building is the ultimate symbol of integration of the best of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.
A legacy of its own, the Greeks and Turks should both relinquish their hatreds and animosity against each other; embrace each other like how this monument blends these 2 cultures in 1 entity. Peace!
kyh1987 3 years ago 3
Well Said.
What does the 2 religions tell about is: Peace but we never make a step forward to it. It is just the same discuss all the time !
jelijeli1905 3 years ago 2
the legacy is of a greco-roman one. The Ottomans were inspired by this genius. There was no fusion as you say. The greeks were unwilling to fuse with the Ottomans as they were with the Romans. Try not to politicize.
zberlin32 3 years ago
You cannot fuse a Christian and a Moslem
Colts4ever123 3 years ago
stop talking shit. there is no fussion The turks were a nomadic tribe traveling the earth for plunder at the time of its construction. Really learn your history. What is this fussion you speak of? Pleas explain
zberlin32 3 years ago
Let me ask you have the nomadic tribes you talk about,did they ever spill greek blood in the agean? Did they desecrate all Churches,Did they Commit Genocide to Armenians and Assyrians?
Colts4ever123 3 years ago
I'm no judge jury or executioner. I don't care what the turks did. Of course they spilled blood and tried to control the people. I'm a fan of history and the Ottomans didn't contribute to the construction of Hagia Sophia. Nor did they influence Byzantine art, architecture etc. If anything, the Ottomans emulated as best they could the Roman world. However, there is no lineage as implied by this pseudo-fusion. If anything the turks caused fission which is still felt today in the balkans
zberlin32 3 years ago
I agree
Colts4ever123 3 years ago
It is ABSURD to split hairs: we are all the same cultural strains, taking differing paths in this or that direction for a few centuries but then coming back.
swbracy 4 years ago
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it would be fair to state that we all take from the byzantine strain. The Ottomans got the byzantine political system, Western Europe got Byzantium's wisdom and art, Eastern Europe got The religion of byzantium
zberlin32 4 years ago
Well put; on the last point I can recall visiting the Romanian orthodox churches----the entire mass is sung and every inch of the interior is covered in mosaic; stylized according to the Byzantine manner.
heavenseek 3 years ago
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Hagia was transformed for political reasons being the court church. Adminstration: use of existing "Byzantine" formate, added/replaced new aristocracy level-taxation system modified from Roman-Byzantine. Court: Byzantine etiquette + Turk elements. Use of eunuchs, duke/count system, etc. Late Byzantine. Coinage: Byzantine.Road, hydrolic, communication system Byzantine (L.Roman/from Hellenistic). Economy: Court silk industry,
swbracy 4 years ago
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The Church was converted because Islam prohibits other non-islamic buildings not to be higher then their Mosques - it was a cultural thing. Oh wow...the Ottomans used Byzantine technology (but did they improve upon it? no.) like other middle-eastern countries of today: they adapt to the technological, court system, attire aspects to some extent this the Ottomans did in order to stay in the game, HOWEVER, it didn't make competitive but sloppy.
Djmemez 4 years ago
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Because in the end the Ottomans were backward due to the dependence on Greek intermediaries - i.e. janissaries, interpreters, and ambassadors etc. Islamic teachings as well promoted anti-capitalism, anti-secularity, anti- what have you. The Ottomans were knowned to be imitators ad nauseam of other grandious cultures.
Djmemez 4 years ago
Η Αγια-Σοφιά το Μέγα Μοναστήρι
Ι Hagia-Sophia, to mega monastiri
Haghia-Sophia, the great monastery
anabrita 4 years ago
guys, one way or another all people should be able to express their believes in Agia Sofia. Even if you are Catholic or Orthodox you should be able to worship your god in there. Agia Sofia is a Holy place for a great number of people, not a damn museum guarded by armed officers.
costain 4 years ago
The Ottomans were a continuation of the Graeco-Roman tradition in all ways but as each had, added distinctive qualities to the mix. Now, in 2007 we are all its heirs. But us go back to the earliest pre-monotheistic tradition & learn respect and tolerance. And honor one another. Hagia Sophia is Divine Wisdom as any true monk or Sufi knows.
JHSibal 4 years ago 2
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The Ottomans weren't a continuation of the Greco-roman tradtions. Need examples? Well for one thing, they (ottomans) fought in a non-western format, they destroyed or converted Churches into Mosques, their attire was a Middle-eastern style. The only thing Roman or Greek of the Ottomans was they took the name Caesar. However they also took titles of other conquered peoples, in reality the Ottomans aren't anything but pretenders to the throne.
Turkey is a hybrid of many cultures.
Djmemez 4 years ago
Ottoman architecture: all the elements of arch, dome, squinch & buttress from L.Antique. Use of terracing, Hellenistic viewing platforms, etc. The Classical koine.Decorative arts: Byzantine (L.Roman/Hellenistic)iconography & technique. Churches were turned into mosques only if head tax not paid & communities converted.
swbracy 4 years ago
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The Ottomans plagiarized Byzantine architecture. Most specially the Hagia Sophia.
Djmemez 4 years ago
One important distinction is that after the fall of the Roman Empire in 1453, most arts and letters ended in that part of the world. A very greek and roman tradition, So what is this you speak of a continuation? There was no batton passed. Aside from the batton that was wacked over the head of all remaining greeks forced into subjugation. Relearn your history JHSibal
zberlin32 3 years ago
You speak bravely,I do not care about the East
I care what belongs to the Orthodox,If the Turks Consider themselves a Democratic Nation,Then Where is the Freedom of Religion?
Why does the UN hold iy high on HUman Rights?
Being able to be like the Western world and go to coffe shops during the day,and discotques in the evening does not mean democracy.Democracy is Seperation of church.. and State,In your case Mosque and state.
Colts4ever123 3 years ago
Your claim about Turks destroyed or converted is misleading we still have 350 churches in Istanbul we have zillion churches how many do yu have in Athens except one that was converted to museum. One more that they are building in 2008 You Greeks are good at smear campaign. What happened to other 30-40 or more mosques?
Selanik had over 100 today how many Mosques maybe one or two? Go Google Earth and see all churches from air in Istanbul. Come to Turkey=Turkiye maybe you learn something.
antique50000 3 years ago 3
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Turks converted many grandiose Churches or Basilicas into Mosques that existed during the E. Roman Empire. The Turks, however, to replace these grandiose Churches in Constantinople for their conquered natives had to make new (smaller) Churches for them. In Greece mosques are hardly anywhere that's, because all the Turks were exiled to Turkey for other Greeks in return. The few Mosques that remain in Greece are for the Albanians.
p.ss. I ain't Greek.
Djmemez 3 years ago
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we mean there is thousund church remaining in turkey from byzantian time we didnt destroy them but there is no mosque remain in grece from ottoman time ?why u destroyed them we have no greek or cristian people in turkey but we didnt destroy churches why u destroyed our mosques?
TurkshFtr 3 years ago
Constantinople had a mosque for the needs of the Muslim visitors even from the 8th century! Now, you asked the mosques were destroyed after the revolution? 1) Because the Ottomans were conquerors 2)Because of the nationalism, Kemal did the same thing. Do not forget that the Ottomans found all those churches in the places they occupied whereas the mosques were built in occupied places. The Byzantines never came to your places to destroy your churches as the Ottomans did against the Byzantines.
nomust 3 years ago
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do u think anatolia is byzantine place? they ocupied there too from trojans hitits armanians and etc what did u do our mosques in greece why u destroyed them see we still respeckting your churches and taking care of them
TurkshFtr 3 years ago
My friend, the Ottomans retained the Churches because they tunred most of them into mosques like they did with Hagia Sophia. Christians did the same with the temples of the ancient greek religions. But there was no need for the Greeks to turn the mosques into churches because they had already their churches. And the mosques were a sumbol of oppression.
By the way, the Trojans were Greeks.
nomust 3 years ago
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In any case anatolia was not an Ottoman or Muslim place. And when they became part of the Roman Empire, what today we call Byzantium, Mohammet had not been born yet.
nomust 3 years ago
before roman and byzantine come there there was sumerians babilonians an persians and armenians and trojans was living there u ocupied that place than we come we took it thats all my friend
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
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In Ottoman times many Churches (especially the flamboyant ones) were converted into Mosques, as a way to give incentives to their conquered Christian people to convert to Islam or be highly taxe & be a second class citizen. etc. The Greeks after achieving their independance in 1821 / 1830 destroyed some or many Mosques as a way to get rid of their oppressor's presence and laws.
p.ss. The only Muslims nowadays in Greece are mostly Albanians.
Djmemez 3 years ago
so we must do the same destroy hagia sofia and thosusund churches in turkey which is remain from byzantine we never tuch none of them we didnt convert anychurche to mosque expect aia sofia but i say again u terorise muslums kiled them and destroyed their churches me and u diferent faith i have mercy u have hate
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
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No. What Turkey must do is hand over Hagia Sophia over to the Orthodox Christians in order to gain acceptance from Greeks. Do not deny that the Ottomans didn't convert many churches in NON-MUSLIM lands into Mosques, because they did. I have already given my answer to why Greeks would have destroyed, dismantled or unconvert Mosques into Orthodox churches.
By the way, I have great respect for Muslims; especially for Arabs.
Djmemez 3 years ago
hand over hagia sofia?muhaha u must joking u first make mosques again whish u destroy in balkans than u can talk about hagia sofia now u have no business talk about it
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 3
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Sooner or later the Turks shall hand over the Hagia Sophia to Orthodox Christians. Why build Mosques in Greece or in Eastern Europe (in an almost non-muslim country)?? Muslims are founded in huge numbers in Bosnia and Albania. You're just being irrational about the matter at hand - like every other Turk.
Djmemez 3 years ago
do u think turkey is cristian country why we have to hand over highia sofia thats my country
TurkshFtr 3 years ago 2
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Of course Turkey is not a Christian country, however, the Hagia Sophia church has been the oldest (magnificent) structure to represent Christianity. It was converted to a Mosque because the Sultan saw it with great potential of becoming his lair as well as his place of worship. Not to mention an excellent way to convert Christians; and as way to show Ottoman dominance. I think it's time for the Turks to let go of this structure because it really doesn't belong to them spirtually & historically.
Djmemez 3 years ago
Hagia Sofia was built as a Christian Basilica. Hence the Name.
jdi0093113 2 years ago
now is muslum mosque;)
TurkshFtr 2 years ago
I thing you will find that the Hagia/Aya Sofia is a museum not a mosque.
jdi0093113 2 years ago
ok than
TurkshFtr 2 years ago
no its not a fucking mosque anymore, its a museum now.
eleemoussa29 1 year ago
but itwill be mosque again soon or later
TurkshFtr 1 year ago
Gibbons writes about "..the triumph of Christianity and barbarism.." and he caught it right: always nice to watch Christians and Muslims hurl insults at each other as the ice caps met and avian flu creeps into the West. H.Sophia is Late Antique Roman & one of the most inspirational buildings existing, reusing much from the Pagan past. It is an old process,as "Captured Greece made Rome Captive" Sinan brilliantly made use of H.Sophia in his works.
JHSibal 4 years ago
1453
Sonymerve 4 years ago
...its a roman building...
....roman engineering...
AVE Dennis Callen
hayokq 4 years ago
Well, those Greeks considered themselves Roman... everyone knows that. That being said... there are no more "Romans". Italy was overrun by the hordes time and time again... Roman is distinct from Italian. There are no more "Romans" (historically speaking, of course).
Flackack 4 years ago
Very untrue.. There is no prof of this great horde invasion as you say. When the epicenter of the roman world was moved to Constantinoupolis Rome didn't matter anymore
zberlin32 3 years ago
Justinian "Glory to god who has judged me worthy of accmplishing such a work as this".Constaninople rules.Byazntium rule..
ozmo1 4 years ago
(from the previous) Also, you mentioned that Greek was Istanbul's main language. This is not entirely accurate. Greek was CONSTANTINOPLE'S main language. Even the word "Istanbul" is Greek! It is a (bastardized) derivative of the Greek phrase, "Eis tin poli", meaning "To the City". Istanbul refers to the name of the city AFTER the turks took over. To the Greeks, it will always be known as Constantinople, and her history is entirely Greek.
tolisk002 4 years ago
Dennis, nice commentary.... but not entirely accurate. You are completely ignoring the fact that the Eastern Byzantine Empire was HELLENISTIC! The architects of Agia Sophia were GREEKS from Asia Minor. This structure is the par excellence example of Byzantine architecture, but you can't say that Romans (i.e. Latin Romans from the West) were responsible for its building, or that the turks had any influence at all. (continued)
tolisk002 4 years ago
You;re incorrect. There was no distinction between western and eastern romans. It's like creating distinction between NYC and Houston. The Romans were greek. All things in Rome was greek. A greek slave was worth a lambourghini in todays dollars. The elite spoke greek.
zberlin32 4 years ago
Hagia Sofia is a true testament to the Byzantian empire. Byzantines knew how to construct buildings back then.
PlasticHelix 4 years ago
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The was built and still stands by the grace of God. It makes me sick to see what the muslims have done to it. I pray that one day this Holy place may once again belong to Orthodox Christians. May God forgive the people who stole/destroyed this sacred church. It brings tears to my eyes to see what the world is coming to. Again I pray for them, for they truly do not know what they do. FREE AGIA SOPHIA
NIKO5372 4 years ago
Why don't I pray for you, you close-minded idiot.
kanonfire 4 years ago 2
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cause u an asshole
njk5298 4 years ago
Great Video Reference, and useful information in terms of explaining Byzantine Architecture's place in the History of Architecture, the Hagia Sophia definitely is one of the crowning achievements of the Byzantine Empire.
shaq565 4 years ago
It's Beautiful!!!!!
YadhiraZ 4 years ago
a thousand years... couldn't be copied! that's crazy
freedombite 4 years ago
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I'm proud to be European!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jfarinhote 4 years ago
La France qui est le pays des droits de l'homme est aussi le PREMIER investisseur etranger en Turquie tout en AVOUANT que les Turcs ont commis le genocide du premier peuple CHRETIEN du monde, les Armeniens. Ces femmes turques au look occidentale sur les affiches publicitaires dans le metro ne sont en faite que la descendance des armeniennes et grecques que le monstre turc a VIOLEES dans le temps. Prendre ses vacances en Turquie c'est NIER le genocide Armenien. Francais, PAS sinceres!
insidebetween 4 years ago
truth can never be hidden
zberlin32 4 years ago
What an imbecile, hollow and pompous French this 'insidebetween'. Instead of your misplaced pretence, you'd advocate your 'democratic' state to give back to the world all the stolen collections in your bloody Louvre.
back the stolen collections of the world in the Louvre, the museum paid with genocide.
TheSublimeArt 3 years ago
What an imbecile, hollow and pompous French this 'insidebetween'. Instead of your misplaced pretence, you'd better advocate your 'democratic' state to give back to the world all the stolen collections in your bloody Louvre.
TheSublimeArt 3 years ago
and this is not one of the new seven worldwonders???
FanNaurto 4 years ago
The Byzantine Empire was the east side of rom!
FanNaurto 4 years ago
The people that lived in Constantinoupolis thought themselves Roman. There was no Byzantine Empire. It was known as " Basiliki Romaion" which in greek means the Kingdom of Rome. So the Greeks of today come from Rome
zberlin32 4 years ago 2
its a beautifl greek orthodox church
togeraki 4 years ago
Free Agia Sofia
costain 4 years ago
1453 1453 the hagia sophia the great mosque of the world
Sonymerve 4 years ago
Sonymerve you seem confused what you say is an insult to your national identity. The correct answer to this Neo-Nazi Greek slogan is: Free yourself!
TheSublimeArt 3 years ago 2
of course byzantine empire is the roman empire of the hellenic nation
spartacosothrax 4 years ago
Sorry its not. first church was made by constantinius he was born in sırbia.byzantion name ( used by german historians )at 18.century.ım a east roman historian.
KDKKMHBK 4 years ago
Hagia Sophia is a wonder, it was a wonder in its time for Architecture. But it is now another wonder; a true evidence of nations, religions, cultures that can stand together in a city. Without insulting eachother for past or future; even you guys can not stop insulting other beliefs and you can still talk about Jesus Christ, who have said "God is love"...
Albertpreason27 4 years ago
u say byzantine empire italian? thats ridiculus
byzantium is the roman empire of the hellenic nation,like
the holy roman empire of the germanic nation
spartacosothrax 4 years ago
the Holy Roman Empire is a name that was created to create prestige. There was no direct lineage to Rome. The Byzantine Empire became part of the lexicon. Blame the historian Edward Gibbon for coining the name. Also blame him for painting such an abysmal picture of the christian Roman Empire
zberlin32 4 years ago
the byzantines were of the roman empire. the word byzantine was created by the holy roman empire after the fall of constantinople. all propaganda
zberlin32 4 years ago
yeah greek people built it but u dont have to emphasize it each time... dont put yourself down... look at the future
onculkoparan 4 years ago
Selimiye Mosque in Edirne which is the master work of Architect Koca Sinan is builded to compete with Hagia Sophia And its dome size and height is larger than all those churches. Sinan in his 96 years life always compete with previous architects and passed them in his last years. Just an interesting info about an old eager man Koca Sinan .
oluyumben 4 years ago 4
do you also know which time periods they were constructed?how old hagia sophia is?our mosques are inspired by byzantian architecture,we should admit it!!
bosphorate 4 years ago
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wasn't Koca Sinan a greek from the south west anatolia?
zberlin32 4 years ago
İts not greek its roman !
KDKKMHBK 4 years ago
It's Greek The Byzantine Empire Was GREEK
Ellada2007 4 years ago
where did you learn this history budalla, kotzam budalla. Agia sofia has nothing to do with turks. Bitter and twisted fate brought it to barbaric Turkish hands. The church was built by Greeks and is Greek for the glory of God's holy wisdom "AGIA SOFIA"
historysays 4 years ago
Nice to see the Orthodox Church of Holy Wisdom. Greek architect at it's most inspired by god.
Oceania2002 4 years ago
agia sophia is a GREEK orthodox church!!!!!
Kalliope321 4 years ago 2
Oh another owner. When I was visiting Hagia Sophia in summer 2005 there was an italian couple next to me and the man was swearing to barbarian Turks since the church was Roman so it must belong to italy :) when I looked him he understood I was a Turk knowing Italian he leaved there in a hurry. i just looked :)
"oh Mother Turks are coming! " :P
oluyumben 4 years ago 2
yes it was a roman empire but the official language was greek, the writings are greek
Byzantine1821 4 years ago
Influences of the early Turks??? is this guy kidding me? the architects of this church were Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, both Greek. The Turks did not enter this geographical area until 8 or 9 centuries later! If you're going to teach history, teach it properly.
alitis20 4 years ago
Great work, thank you! :)
stylianosm 5 years ago