Hagia Sophia: Construction and Reconstruction

Political events

Young Turk Revolution

The Young Turk Revolution (July 1908) of the Ottoman Empire was when the Young Turks movement restored the Ottoman constitution of 1876 and ushered in multi-party politics in a two stage electoral system (electoral law) under the Ottoman parliament.

More than three decades earlier, in 1876, constitutional monarchy had been established under Sultan Abdul Hamid II during a period of time known as the First Constitutional Era, which only lasted for two years before Abdul Hamid suspended it and restored autocratic powers to himself. On 24 July 1908, Abdul Hamid capitulated and announced the restoration of Constitution, which established the Second Constitutional Era. After an attempted monarchist counterrevolution in favor of Abdul Hamid the following year, he was deposed and his brother Mehmed V ascended the throne.

— Wikipedia article on the Young Turk Revolution

Declaration of the Revolution.

Greek lithograph celebrating the Young Turk Revolution.

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