What You May Not Know About Hagia Sophia in Turkey#Travel#TravelVlog#Wanderlust#TravelGram#Adventure

Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the most iconic and historically significant structures in the world. While many know it as a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, here are some fascinating facts you may not know:

🔹 A Church, A Mosque, A Museum, and A Mosque Again – Originally built as a cathedral in 537 AD during the Byzantine Empire, Hagia Sophia was later converted into a mosque in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire. In 1935, it was transformed into a museum, and in 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque.

🔹 An Architectural Marvel – The massive dome, spanning 102 feet (31 meters) in diameter, was an engineering wonder of its time and inspired many future architectural designs, including the Ottoman mosques.

🔹 Hidden Christian Mosaics – Underneath the Islamic calligraphy, there are still preserved Byzantine mosaics depicting Jesus, Mary, and various saints, hidden during prayer times.

🔹 Whispering Column – A legendary "Weeping Column" inside the Hagia Sophia is believed to have healing powers. Visitors touch the column, hoping for good luck or blessings.

🔹 Earthquake-Proof Engineering – Despite surviving numerous earthquakes over the centuries, the structure has remained remarkably intact due to its advanced construction techniques.

📍 A must-visit for history lovers and architecture enthusiasts!

Видео What You May Not Know About Hagia Sophia in Turkey#Travel#TravelVlog#Wanderlust#TravelGram#Adventure канала Adam Joe