Within this context last parts of the 180 ton-scaffold which had been inside the museum for 17 years were dismantled with a press conference hosted by Şekib Avdagiç the Chairman of Executive Board of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency with the participation of Haluk Dursun the President of Hagia Sophia Museum.

An important discovery during the restoration, the Seraphim figure had taken the museum up to the agenda to reveal once again the deep history of the museum. While making the opening remarks of the press conference, Şekib Avdagiç the Chairman of Executive Board of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency articulated that the angel figure with six wings (Seraphim) on the northeast dome of the museum –estimated to be 700 years old- could be seen after 160 years without the scaffold hindrance. Avdagiç went on to say “This unique building which is also the focus of the world and visited by 2-2and a half million foreign tourists every year, is going to keep on inspiring both Istanbul residents and visitors with its new face. From today on a new time is set for Hagia Sophia: it is the time to rediscover. As Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, we are excited and happy to contribute to this historical and important event”.

Source : http://www.en.istanbul2010.org

Emperor Iustanianus (527 – 565) wanted to construct something even bigger than the original two and appointed architects Isidoros from Miletos, and Anthemios from Tralles to build the Aya Sofya which still stands. Columns, heads, marble and coloured stones were imported to İstanbul from ancient cities in Anatolia for the purpose.

Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca

It used to be a church for 916 years, then a mosque for 481 years, and since 1935 has been a museum. Thought to have been constructed by Emperor Konstantinos I (324 – 337) it was burned down during a revolt. Rebuilt by Emperor Theodosium II, it was opened for worship in 415 and once again was burned to the ground, during the Nika revolts of 532.
Emperor Iustanianus (527 – 565) wanted to construct something even bigger than the original two and appointed architects Isidoros from Miletos, and Anthemios from Tralles to build the Aya Sofya which still stands. Columns, heads, marble and coloured stones were imported to İstanbul from ancient cities in Anatolia for the purpose.

The construction began on 23 December 532, and was completed exactly five years later. The main, central section measured 100m x 70m, covered with a 55m high dome which was a mammoth 30m in diameter – appearing to be a great feat of design. The mosaics are of great importance, and the oldest ones are dominated by geometric and plant motifs decorated with gold.

Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca

The worst desecration of the church was in 1204, ransacked by Catholic soldiers during the Fourth Crusade. In 1453, after a failure of the Byzantine Church to fend off the Turks, Mehmet the Conqueror captured the city, rode into Aya Sofya and immediately turned it into a mosque. It was repaired several times, and İslamic ornamentation added, for example an extract of the Koran by calligrapher İzzet Efendi inscribed on the dome. The other reminders of its previous status as a mosque include huge wooden plaques bearing the names of Allah, the Prophet Mohammed and the first four caliphs.

The marble and mosaics remain the most interesting aspects today. The columns supporting the gallery are made from antique marble, and in the western gallery is the green marble which marks the position of the throne of the Empress. The impressive figurative mosaics include Virgin and Child flanked by two emperors, dating back to the late 10th century, and one depicting Christ, the Virgin, and St John the Baptists. Even though there is partial damage, the haunting images on their faces remain as strong as ever.