Annaliese Roegner

Joseph Watson
ARC 2031.02
14 November 2023
Assignment No. 4
Image 2B

Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey),

Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, architects, 532–537 ce
One of the most important elements of this space was the shape; this affected not only the visual
elements but also the way sound traveled throughout the space. Through the use of sound, the
experience within Hagia Sophia is completely transformed. Everything within the building is
meticulously placed in tradition. This includes the chancel screen, altar, ciborium, synthronon,
ambo, solea, imperial metatorion, throne, aisles and galleries. This space was originally built for
liturgical use, the liturgy would have begun with a formal entrance procession, leading to a
reading, then to the preparation of the eucharist, then communion, and finally finishing with yet
another procession. (Mainstone, p. 227-228)

Although it is not visible or easily noted in the above image, this building has undergone many
transformations throughout the years. Its primary use was that of a church, however it was
eventually taken over by the Turks at which point all the interior decorations depicting human
forms were covered, and it became a Mosque. Throughout more recent years it has served as a
mosque and a museum; arguments regarding the use of the space are continued today.

Mainstone, R J. Hagia Sophia : Architecture, Structure, and Liturgy of Justinian’s Great

Church. New York, N.Y., Thames And Hudson, 1997.

“Listen: The Sound of the Hagia Sophia, More than 500 Years Ago.” NPR.org,
www.npr.org/2020/02/22/808404928/listen-the-sound-of-the-hagia-sophia-more-than-
500-years-ago.