Hagia Sophia: Construction and Reconstruction

Writings

Description by Bertrandon de la Broquière

"A French traveler named Bertrandon de la Broquière, visiting Hagia Sophia in 1433, identified “one of the robes of our Lord, the end of the lance that pierced his side, the sponge that was offered to him, and the reed that was put in his hand” among the instruments of the Passion that were regularly displayed inside the great church."

The Fall of Constantinople in 1453, from a manuscript of Bertrandon's Voyage

Hagia Sophia: Construction and Reconstruction

Earthquake The cross is substituted by a crescent and a provisional wooden minaret is built The cross is substituted by a crescent and a provisional wooden minaret is built The cross is substituted by a crescent and a provisional wooden minaret is built The cross is substituted by a crescent and a provisional wooden minaret is built The cross is substituted by a crescent and a provisional wooden minaret is built The First Hagia Sophia is inaugurated by Constantius II A fire destroys the roof Church of Theodosius II The Hagia Sophia burns to the ground Construction of the new Hagia Sophia The new Hagia Sophia is dedicated by Emperor Justinian Earthquake Earthquake The dome collapses The restored church is consecrated Images destroyed during the Iconoclast Controversy are restored Restoration by Basil I The redecoration of Hagia Sophia begins Earthquake Rebuilding under rule of Basil II Changes during the Latin Empire Reign of Michael VIII Andronicus II carries out works to restabilize the church 1st reign of John V Palaeologus Earthquake The eastern part of the dome collapses Restoration The cross is substituted by a crescent and a provisional wooden minaret is built Redecoration under Mehmed II Architect Sinan is invited to reform Hagia Sophia Tomb of Sultan Selim II Tomb of Sultan Murad III Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III Reign of Murad IV Elementary school Hagia Sophia Fountain Restoration under Sultan Abdulmejid The timing room is built Earthquake Restoration by members of the Byzantine Institute of America A long-lost portrait of Emperor Alexander is rediscovered