Hagia Sophia Essay

Throughout human history, there is a large degree of inheritance of cultural elements that forms into certain traditions. Those traditions can be so powerful, successful, and influential, so that not only are they copied throughout the culture of the tradition 's origin, but also throughout other cultures. In the context of architecture, some elements of interior design, exterior design, and engineering solutions become acclaimed and accepted as standards to be imitated. All cultures recycle architectural elements, but all of them do it in their own way that reflects a time period, political context, as well as local resources and engineering knowledge.

One such example can be found in ancient Japan during the rule of Emperor Tenmu. Shinto

Ayasofya, as it is known today, was built by a directive of Emperor Justinian in Constantinople. Justinian "disregarding all considerations of expense, hastened to begin construction and raised craftsmen from the whole world", and created, arguably, the most luxurious, complex, and awe-inspiring Christian building ever to be built [3]. Only the most expensive, rare, and luxurious materials, like marble and gold, were used to create an ethereal architectural complex depicting heaven the way Christians understand it. However, after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans, the Hagia Sophia was a part of the strict Islamic political regimen that did not tolerate expression of Christian faith and Christian establishments. Ayasofya was altered to fit the definitions of the mosque. The mosaics were painted over (as portrayals of people in art are considered sinful), the discs with quotes from the Quran were added to the pendentives under the dome, and four minarets were added. The grandeur of what used to be an Orthodox Christian Church was recycled and reinvented by the Ottoman Turks to have a new monumental meaning. In that way, Hagia Sophia was recycled completely as a building and was brought into its new life under the Ottoman