Hagia Sophia: History and Significance

The Byzantine Empire, lasting a thousand years, left a legacy of architecture, law, and religious influence. The Hagia Sophia, built by Emperor Justinian in 537 A.D., epitomizes Byzantine architecture with its massive dome and served as the focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church. After the Ottoman conquest in 1453, it was converted into a mosque, and later, in 1935, into a museum, revealing its Christian mosaics. Today, it stands as a major tourist attraction in Turkey, symbolizing the intersection of Christian and Muslim histories.

What was one of the major contributions of the Byzantine Empire to Western civilization?

• The creation of the internet

• The discovery of America

• The development of a legal code

• The invention of the printing press

Who was responsible for the construction of Hagia Sophia?

• Emperor Justinian

• Emperor Constantine

• Emperor Nero

• Emperor Augustus

What does the name 'Hagia Sophia' mean in Greek?

• Divine Light

• Great Church

• Holy Wisdom

• Sacred Temple

For how long was Hagia Sophia the world's largest church?

• 1500 years

• 500 years

• 1000 years

• 2000 years

Which cathedral surpassed Hagia Sophia as the largest church in the 16th century?

• Seville Cathedral

• Notre-Dame Cathedral

• St. Peter's Basilica

• St. Paul's Cathedral

What significant change occurred to Hagia Sophia in 1453?

• It was abandoned

• It was turned into a library

• It was converted into a mosque

• It was destroyed by an earthquake

In what year was Hagia Sophia converted into a museum?

• 1950

• 1967

• 1935

• 1923

What is depicted in the famous mosaic of Jesus in Hagia Sophia?

• Christ Pantocrator

• The Nativity

• The Crucifixion

• The Last Supper

What does 'Pantocrator' translate to in English?

• Creator

• Savior

• Almighty

• Redeemer

What is Hagia Sophia's status in modern-day Turkey?

• A government building

• A museum

• A mosque

• A functioning church