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travel

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is a stunning synergy of history & religions.

** Built in 537, Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for 1000 years. It essentially established and defined Byzantine architecture.

** In 1453, the Ottoman Turks converted it into a mosque and plastered over its Christian roots (literally).

** In 1935, the Republic of Turkey turned it into a museum and restored its celebrated Christian mosaics.