What did Muslims add to the exterior of the Hagia Sophia?

After the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Mehmed II had it repurposed as a mosque, with the addition of a wooden minaret (on the exterior, a tower used for the summons to prayer), a great chandelier, a mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca), and a minbar (pulpit).

How did the Hagia Sophia became a mosque?

Beginning with subsequent Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia became the paradigmatic Orthodox church form, and its architectural style was emulated by Ottoman mosques a thousand years later. After the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, it was converted to a mosque by Mehmed the Conqueror.

What did Constantinople’s location and economic activity encourage?

Constantinople’s location and economic activity encouraged cultural diversity (people from many parts of the world).

Is Hagia Sophia a mosque or a church?

Ever since the reversion of Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, the Muslim call to prayer has been resounding from its minarets. Originally built as a Christian Orthodox church and serving that purpose for centuries, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque by the Ottomans upon their conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

Why was Erdogan’s decision to cover over the Hagia Sophia mosaic controversial?

Among the Christian mosaics covered over on Friday was the Ninth-Century mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Jesus inside the apse. Why was Erdogan’s move controversial? Islamist groups and devout Muslims in Turkey had long called for Hagia Sophia to become a mosque again, but secular opposition members opposed the move.

Why are there pictures of Mary and Jesus in Hagia Sophia?

Instead, Ottoman historians tell us that he stood in awe, feeling that the eyes of the Christ child followed him as he moved about the structure. Although images of humans are almost never found in mosque architecture, the depictions of Mary and Jesus remained uncovered in the mosque of Hagia Sophia until 1739.

Are there any images of humans in the Hagia Sophia?

Although images of humans are almost never found in mosque architecture, the depictions of Mary and Jesus remained uncovered in the mosque of Hagia Sophia until 1739. At that time, the mosaic was plastered over.