The works of Hagia Sophia began in the year 532 by order of Emperor Justinian and was completed in 537. erected in Constantinople, capital of Eastern Roman Empire, is considered one of the most beautiful Byzantine architectural forms. Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles were the architects commissioned to draw plans of the huge temple, which was conceived as a Christian church. The most characteristic feature of St. Sophia is the central hemispherical dome, 33 meters wide and 55 high, supported by four shells. This itself is surrounded by two semi-domes and side galleries. The church walls were covered, until the Islamic invasion, mosaics, murals painted formed by small pieces of stone or glass, which shine by reflected light. The projected light eliminated spatial boundaries and helped to encourage religious sentiment. The figures of Christ and his apostles were repeated to infinity in these mosaics, colored background which represented the sky.
When the Turks took Constantinople in 1453, Hagia Sophia became a mosque. In addition to surround it with four minarets, removed the paintings, mosaics and destroyed respecting the marble slabs that covered the interior of the temple.
Today, Hagia Sophia Museum cone archaeological works. In the preserved valuable pieces of Byzantine art, Hellenistic and Turkish.