Hagia Sophia, Turkey

The Hagia Sophia is a magnificent architectural work that served as a landmark for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The Hagia Sophia, first a Christian church, then a mosque for Muslims, and finally a museum, has always been a historical treasure. Several civilizations have called Istanbul home for millennia. The city now reflects the characteristics of two distinct cultures, and the Hagia Sophia is unquestionably a wonderful blend, with both Ottoman and Byzantine influences visible beneath one massive dome.

The first construction of the structure was carried out by Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337). However, the ancient cathedral has been rebuilt numerous times due to various reasons, such as being destroyed in riots and earthquakes. Despite this, Hagia Sophia is regarded as one of the world's great structures. And as if that weren't cool enough, the structure can also be seen in the first few minutes of the newest Bond movie, Skyfall.

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, was designed by Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles and completed in 537 AD. It was the world's largest building at the time and is said to have 'changed the history of architecture due to its massive central dome. Originally a Greek Orthodox cathedral, it was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire and is now a museum. The best-preserved example of Byzantine architecture, it was the largest cathedral in the world for 1000 years until the Spanish, in a fit of jealousy millennia in the making, built a bigger one.

It has grown to be one of the most significant cultural and architectural landmarks in the entire world, attracting not only tourists but also researchers, academics, engineers, artists, and archaeologists. The structure was made as a place of worship, and it has fulfilled that purpose for many years.

Completed: 537 AD
Function: Mosque
Architect: Isidore of Miletus (442 AD – 537 AD)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey