Little Hagia Sophia is Istanbul's oldest continuously functioning sacred building — originally the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, built by Justinian early in his reign. Columns of imported marble, capitals with Justinian and Theodora's monograms, and the courtyard fountain appears to be a repurposed Byzantine sarcophagus! ⛪
Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus: Istanbul's oldest continuously functioning sacred building
Key facts
- Little Hagia Sophia (Küçük Hagia Sophia) is Istanbul's oldest continuously functioning sacred building, currently used as a mosque.
- Originally built as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus by Emperor Justinian at the beginning of his reign.
- The structure is centrally planned and crowned by a dome.
- It retains columns of fine imported marble.
- The capitals are carved with the monograms of Justinian and Theodora.
- The frieze between the first and second stories bears a long Greek inscription praising the imperial couple and St. Sergius.
- The atrium and most of the original decoration disappeared during the Ottoman era.
- The ablution fountain in the courtyard appears to have been fashioned from a Byzantine sarcophagus.
- In the Byzantine era the interior was sheathed in marble and the dome glowed with golden mosaics.
Site mentioned
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Sources
The Little Hagia Sophiarustytraveltrunk.com
Küçük Ayasofya Camii, also known as Little Hagia Sophia (LHS), is one such mosque. The building was originally built as an Eastern Orthodox church and was ...
Little Hagia Sophia Mosqueistanbultourstudio.com
The mosque is open from 10 AM - 6 PM every day, but is closed to visitors during prayer times. There is no entrance fee for Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, but ...
Little Hagia Sophia Mosqueislamiclandmarks.com
The 'Little Hagia Sophia' mosque (Turkish: Küçük Ayasofya Camii) was formerly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus.
Küçük Ayasofya Little Hagia Sophia Mosquewmf.org
The oldest surviving Byzantine monument in Istanbul, Küçük (“Little”) Hagia Sophia was constructed under the emperor Justinian near the southern city walls ...
Little Hagia Sophialittlehagiasophia.com
Learn the art of authentic Turkish Delight making in the historic atmosphere of Little Hagia Sophia. Phone: +905443541824
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