Hagia Sophia
Isidore of Miletus & Anthemius · Istanbul, Turkey · 537
Hagia Sophia, completed in 537 CE in Constantinople (modern Istanbul), is an iconic example of Byzantine architecture, recognized for its innovative structural engineering and grand scale. Originally constructed as an Orthodox cathedral, it served as a mosque, then a museum, and is currently a mosque again. Its most prominent feature is its massive dome, supported by a revolutionary system of pendentives, which allowed for a vast, unobstructed interior space. The building's interior is adorned with marble, mosaics, and frescoes, reflecting centuries of religious and cultural layering. Its design, conceived by Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, significantly influenced religious architecture throughout the Byzantine Empire and beyond, providing a model for subsequent mosque and church designs. Its transformation through different faiths underscores its enduring historical and cultural significance in the region.