Architecture Hagia Sophia Dome

His son constantius ii consecrated it in 360.

Architecture hagia sophia dome. Facts history architecture. The height and breadth of the dome that dominates the church s central space have awakened awe and admiration in visitors in all periods. It is between two half domes which together equals to the diameters of the dome. 1823 1861 and completed by eight hundred workers between 1847 and 1849 under the supervision of the swiss italian architect brothers gaspare and giuseppe fossati.

Justinian s hagia sophia is the one that stands today. The original church on the site of the hagia sophia is said to have been ordered to be built by constantine i in 325 on the foundations of a pagan temple. It is an architectural intelligence and the first masterpiece in byzantine architecture. Hagia sophia floor plan floor plan of the hagia sophia istanbul.

The dome was built over a square base and pendentives spherical triangles acting as a structural transition between the square shape of. The dome of hagia sophia is the most striking element in the structure. It has been the largest cathedral for 1000 years until the seville cathedral was built. The hagia sophia is a domed monument built as a cathedral and is now a museum in istanbul.

The construction was made mostly out of brick and mortar. By owen jarus live science contributor march 01 2013. The church has a rectangular shape and the square vast square nave measuring 31m 102ft is covered with a central dome that is carried on four pendentives. Restoration of the hagia sophia was ordered by sultan abdulmejid i r.

The dome is built by brick and mortar it is 31 24 mt 102 ft 6 in diameters and is 55 6 mt 182 ft 5 in high. The cupola of the current dome hovers 180 feet 55 m above the mosaic floor. Hagia sophia dome sits at the centre of the church. It has often been transformed into a focal point even on the world political map.

Because of the several repairs and constructions in time the dome lost its circular shape and the diameter became 31 24 mt 102 ft 6 in to 30 86 mt 101 ft 3in. Facts about the history architecture and dome of hagia sophia. The dimensions of the extant structure show hagia sophia s near square shape. The dome of hagia sophia was the greatest architectural achivement of human race in the medieval world.

The structure and first dome which partially collapsed in 557 ce were first completed in 537 ce. Riba london and university of london. Even the geography of istanbul which demarcates the east and the west marks the history of civilization and many empires especially byzantine and ottoman.