Turkey: Istanbul – Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was built in 537 AD as a Christian Greek Orthodox Basilica and served as the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople in the Byzantine empire. Around 12th century it was converted into a Catholic Cathedral during the crusades. Two centuries later it was once again converted and this time into an Ottoman Mosque. Finally in 1935 it was secularized and became a museum. AS you explore the magnificent building inside and out, you can see the symbolism and architecture of different religions and times. The dome and golden frescoes inside are particularity spectacular.