Byzantine Mosaics Hagia Sophia

The motifs used in the creation of the mosaics are mostly images of christ and portraits of imperial figures.

Byzantine mosaics hagia sophia. Hagia sophia mosaics and the byzantine religious art. Boston greek reporter the mosaics of hagia sophia are world renowned priceless artifacts not only of greek orthodoxy but also of byzantine civilization and hellenism. Istanbul s iconic hagia sophia was officially reverted from a museum into a mosque on july 10 paving the way for the possible re concealment of the byzantine mosaics inside the 1 500 year old church turned mosque turned museum. One glorious mosaic showed mary and her infant son jesus at the center with constantine offering up constantinople on one side and justinian offering the hagia sophia on the other.

The hagia sophia is a component of a unesco world heritage site called the historic areas of istanbul designated 1985 which includes that city s other major historic buildings and locations. Some of the mosaics in hagia sophia are considered masterpieces and they serve as a catalogue of byzantine art. What is lesser known is that the hagiographies inside the cathedral were restored by an american man before it was turned into a museum in 1935. Detail of the 13th century deësis mosaic in hagia sophia istanbul.

Irene ducas irene ducas detail of a 12th century mosaic in the hagia sophia istanbul. The motifs used in the creation of the mosaics were mostly imperial portraits and images of christ. Some of the mosaics in hagia sophia are considered masterpieces and they serve as a catalogue of byzantine art. I n 1931 in the leadership of thomas whittemore the byzantine institute took the responsibility of recovering the mosaics of the hagia sophia after getting touch with the founder of the turkish republic atatürk who also turned hagia sophia to a museum.

In 1932 the arduous works began on restoration of the mosaics. Built by byzantine emperor justinian i in 537 it served for 900 years as a church and 500 years as a mosque. Many of these items were shipped to venice whose doge enrico dandolo had organized the invasion and sack of constantinople after an agreement with prince alexios angelos the son of a deposed byzantine emperor. Hagia sophia is one of the most important structures in history.

Hagia sophia which remained a museum for nearly 85 years will now be a mosque again. Among them is the mosaic of the apse completed during the 9th century which decorates the half dome located behind the altar. Some of the mosaics in hagia sophia are considered masterpieces and they serve as a catalogue of byzantine art.