Pictures of the "Hagia Sophia" Church

"Holy Wisdom"

View the outside	Step inside	Look straight up at the dome
Look at the ornate marble	What is the symbolism of the plain exterior and the ornate interior?
Return to Byzantine Page	Return to This Week in Core	Facts & Figures

View from outside

The church was built in 537 under Emperor Justinian.

outside

Step inside

Look straight up at the dome, largest in the world when built.

dome

Look at the ornately carved marble columns.

column

What is the symbolism of the architecture?

To the Byzantine Christians, the plain exterior,

with its rough plaster and dull brown color,

symbolized earthly life or the physical body.

The ornate interior,

reflecting light and color,

symbolized heavenly life or the spiritual aspect of a person.

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