Our next port of call was Haiga Sophia, which means Holy Wisdom which is why the Moslems never changed the name. The site was originally a Temple of Diana, but there is nothing left to indicate that. When Christianity was introduced around 330 CE, a Christian church was built on the side. It burnt down a few years later because it was built of wood. It was later rebuilt in stone. This church was destroyed in 532 CE during riots about chariot racing and also probably because at the time the economy was bad. At the time it was the largest church in the world. The dome remained the largest for centuries. The dome was 32 meters in diameter and 56 meters high. In the 9th Century it became a Greek Orthodox Church. In the 15th century, it became a mosque. The mosaics depicting people were covered with plaster during this period. Some of the stained glass windows were moved during this period to face Mecca. The windows had originally faced Jerusalem. On the way out is a 10th century mosaic involving Emperor Justinian. In 1935, Haiga Sophia was converted to a museum and the plaster covering the mosaics was removed.
Inside Haiga Sophia
Item installed to enable worshipers to face Mecca
Icon in Haiga Sophia
Dome in Haiga Sophia - under restoration
Resting in Haiga Sophia before continuing
Mosaic at exit of Haiga Sophia
Exterior of Haiga Sophia
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