Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey is a historical landmark that carries within its walls the deepest spirituality and cultural history and for many centuries, this prominent landmark has witnessed important developments and radical changes throughout the ages, but in the modern era, the Hagia Sophia Mosque has witnessed exceptional transformations that have affected its destination and uses, so continue reading on to learn more details.
Details about Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey
Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey, in Istanbul, is a symbol of the conquest of Constantinople and one of the most important historical monuments in the world, as it was built in 537 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, and for long periods it was a mosque used for purposes of worship and prayer, as it has witnessed major transformations throughout the ages, as it was converted into a church after the Islamic conquest, then into a museum in the modern era.
The beginning of the twenty-first century witnessed an important change, as the Hagia Sophia Mosque was re-converted into a mosque open to everyone for prayer and visiting for free and this historic decision was taken into consideration after canceling the previous decision that made it a museum and with this decision, Hagia Sophia returned to its original role as a place of worship and prayer.
Since its reopening as a mosque, the Hagia Sophia Mosque has become a place to celebrate Turkey's cultural and historical heritage, and is still considered one of the most important cultural and artistic monuments in the country and the world and the changes of Hagia Sophia embody the development of Turkey and the civilizational role it plays in the world today.
Why is Hagia Sophia Turkey Mosque a unique architectural monument?
The conquest of Constantinople (known today as Istanbul) and the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque are two prominent historical events in Turkish Islamic history and on May 29, 1453, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror entered the city of Istanbul after a long siege, and conquered it greatly and he went directly to Hagia Sophia and placed his flag as a symbol of conquest, then shot an arrow towards the dome, marking the conquest of the place and its transformation from a church into a mosque.
The place was registered by Muhammad the Conqueror in his own name, four cylindrical minarets were added to it in the Ottoman style, and its walls were decorated with paintings bearing the names of God, the name of the Prophet Muhammad - may God bless him and grant him peace - and the names of the Rightly Guided Caliphs in Arabic letters.
With the conquest of Istanbul, Mehmed the Conqueror also obtained the title of Roman Emperor, which made him the owner of real estate registered in the names of the Byzantine family and according to the law, Hagia Sophia was registered in the name of Mehmed the Conqueror and the endowment he founded, and an official copy of the title deed was issued in the new letters (which are used in the current Turkish language) during the Republic period to officially register its legal status.
These major events reflect the nobility and rich history of Turkey and its prominent role in the development of the Islamic world and human history.
Hagia Sophia Museum in Turkey
In 1934, the first president of modern Turkey, then Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, converted Hagia Sophia into an art museum, as it was transformed with the aim of exploring and embracing the aesthetic of decoration that represents the influence of the Islamic and Christian civilizations. After this transformation, Hagia Sophia became a tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors annually and it has continued to remain a cultural center that blends these two cultural aspects, and has continued to prove its symbolism as part of the great history of the “Conquest of Constantinople.”
Is Hagia Sophia a church or a mosque?
The Turkish government decided to return Hagia Sophia to its status as a mosque years after it was converted into a museum and this decision sparked various discussions and feelings among different sects and religions and there are calls for the return of Hagia Sophia to a church or museum, whether from Christians or Muslims, however, the government decision was based on what was stated in the endowment document created by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, which stipulates that it is permissible to convert a church into a mosque in the country that was forcefully conquered.
There is also a point of view that says that Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror bought Hagia Sophia from the Romans with his own money and made it a mosque designated for Muslims and based on this controversy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque is neither a betrayal of history nor a violation of the law, but rather it is Turkey’s right to implement what was stated in the endowment document drawn up by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
Advantages of buying an apartment near Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey
- Turkey is considered a bridge between the European and Asian continents, making it a strategic place for business and trade.
- It offers a variety of properties including residential apartments, hotel apartments and commercial properties, to suit different needs.
- Turkey allows foreigners to own property and provides simple procedures for purchasing real estate.
- Despite the diversity of the real estate market in Turkey, prices are acceptable compared to many other major cities in the world.
- It is experiencing sustainable economic growth, which provides good investment opportunities in real estate.
- Purchasing a property in Turkey of a certain value can qualify you for a property visa that allows long-term residence.
- Turkey offers a diverse cultural environment with many tourist attractions and social activities.
- Continuous population growth in Turkey makes it a place full of life and activity.
- Turkey has an excellent public transportation system that facilitates movement in the city.
- Turkey is relatively politically and economically stable, making it a suitable place for investment
- An opportunity to obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property in Turkey worth 400 thousand US dollars
In conclusion, the changes to the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey are an important historical and cultural event that highlights the deep-rootedness of Turkish culture with its diverse heritage and after many years of controversy and debate over its status, Hagia Sophia returned to its status as a mosque open to worship and this step remains a focus of admiration and interest for many around the world, whether from a historical, religious or artistic perspective.
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