TED-ED: It's a church. It's a mosque. It's Hagia Sophia. - Kelly Wall

Hagia Sophia, a symbol of cultural and religious transformation, stands at the crossroads of history. Originally built as a church in Byzantium, it has undergone numerous reconstructions and served various religious purposes. Its architectural marvels, like the grand dome and mosaics, reflect its rich past. The building transitioned from a church to a mosque under the Ottomans and later became a museum in 1935. Restoration efforts continue to reveal its layered history, while debates persist over its religious role.

What was the original name of the city where Hagia Sophia is located?

• Byzantium

• Constantinople

• Istanbul

• New Rome

Which emperor was responsible for the construction of the current Hagia Sophia?

• Suleiman the Magnificent

• Mehmed the Second

• Justinian the First

• Constantine the Great

What architectural feature of Hagia Sophia is described as representing the heavens?

• The minarets

• The grand dome

• The marble floors

• The Corinthian columns

During which event was Hagia Sophia temporarily converted into a Roman Catholic church?

• The Fourth Crusade

• The Byzantine Reconquest

• The Nika Riots

• The Ottoman Conquest

Who was the Venetian ruler associated with the Fourth Crusade's impact on Hagia Sophia?

• Enrico Dandolo

• Suleiman the Magnificent

• Kemal Ataturk

• Justinian the First

What significant change did Sultan Mehmed the Second make to Hagia Sophia?

• He rededicated it as an imperial mosque

• He converted it into a museum

• He built the first church on the site

• He restored the Christian mosaics

In what year was Hagia Sophia converted into a museum?

• 657 BCE

• 532

• 1935

• 1453