The Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781501046865
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
*Includes pictures *Includes contemporary accounts of the construction of the Hagia Sophia and its appearance *Includes a bibliography for further reading "So the church has been made a spectacle of great beauty, stupendous to those who see it and altogether incredible to those who hear of it...Its breadth and length have been so fittingly proportioned that it may without impropriety be described as being both very long and extremely broad. And it boasts of an ineffable beauty, for it subtly combines its mass with the harmony of its proportions, having neither any excess nor any deficiency, inasmuch as it is more pompous than ordinary [buildings] and considerably more decorous than those which are huge beyond measure; and it abounds exceedingly in gleaming sunlight. You might say that the [interior] space is not illuminated by the sun from the outside, but that the radiance is generated within, so great an abundance of light bathes this shrine all round." - Procopius The Hagia Sophia, built from 532-537, is inarguably the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and one of the greatest buildings ever constructed. Upon its completion, the Hagia Sophia remained the largest enclosed space in the world for nearly a thousand years, a reign that only ended after the rebuilding of St. Peter's in Rome. Fittingly, the rebuilding of St. Peter's was partly inspired by the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque in 1453. The building of Hagia Sophia itself was shocking and transformational. Beginning with Procopius of Caesarea, Justinian's court historian, visitor after visitor noted that the giant dome seems to hover on air, and it's unquestionably true that the arches, vaults, semidomes, and domes add up for an otherworldly, ethereal effect. The surfaces are enriched by colored marble and elaborate mosaics, and when viewing from the aisles and galleries, looking into the nave is dramatic thanks to all the interconnecting layered spaces and repeating, complex curved forms. Interestingly, however, the brick exterior of the building was left unadorned, representing a shell that houses a magnificent interior. The Hagia Sophia examines the history of one of the world's most famous religious sites and analyzes the religion and politics that shaped its fate.

The Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781501046865
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 56

Get Book Here

Book Description
*Includes pictures *Includes contemporary accounts of the construction of the Hagia Sophia and its appearance *Includes a bibliography for further reading "So the church has been made a spectacle of great beauty, stupendous to those who see it and altogether incredible to those who hear of it...Its breadth and length have been so fittingly proportioned that it may without impropriety be described as being both very long and extremely broad. And it boasts of an ineffable beauty, for it subtly combines its mass with the harmony of its proportions, having neither any excess nor any deficiency, inasmuch as it is more pompous than ordinary [buildings] and considerably more decorous than those which are huge beyond measure; and it abounds exceedingly in gleaming sunlight. You might say that the [interior] space is not illuminated by the sun from the outside, but that the radiance is generated within, so great an abundance of light bathes this shrine all round." - Procopius The Hagia Sophia, built from 532-537, is inarguably the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and one of the greatest buildings ever constructed. Upon its completion, the Hagia Sophia remained the largest enclosed space in the world for nearly a thousand years, a reign that only ended after the rebuilding of St. Peter's in Rome. Fittingly, the rebuilding of St. Peter's was partly inspired by the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque in 1453. The building of Hagia Sophia itself was shocking and transformational. Beginning with Procopius of Caesarea, Justinian's court historian, visitor after visitor noted that the giant dome seems to hover on air, and it's unquestionably true that the arches, vaults, semidomes, and domes add up for an otherworldly, ethereal effect. The surfaces are enriched by colored marble and elaborate mosaics, and when viewing from the aisles and galleries, looking into the nave is dramatic thanks to all the interconnecting layered spaces and repeating, complex curved forms. Interestingly, however, the brick exterior of the building was left unadorned, representing a shell that houses a magnificent interior. The Hagia Sophia examines the history of one of the world's most famous religious sites and analyzes the religion and politics that shaped its fate.

Hagia Sophia, 1850-1950

Hagia Sophia, 1850-1950 PDF Author: Robert S. Nelson
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226571713
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
Hagia Sophia, the Church of Holy Wisdom, sits majestically atop the plateau that commands the straits separating Europe and Asia. Located near the acropolis of the ancient city of Byzantium, this unparalleled structure has enjoyed an extensive and colorful history, as it has successively been transformed into a cathedral, mosque, monument, and museum. In Hagia Sophia, 1850-1950, Robert S. Nelson explores its many lives. Built from 532 to 537 as the Cathedral of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was little studied and seldom recognized as a great monument of world art until the nineteenth century, and Nelson examines the causes and consequences of the building's newly elevated status during that time. He chronicles the grand dome's modern history through a vibrant cast of characters—emperors, sultans, critics, poets, archaeologists, architects, philanthropists, and religious congregations—some of whom spent years studying it, others never visiting the building. But as Nelson shows, they all had a hand in the recreation of Hagia Sophia as a modern architectural icon. By many means and for its own purposes, the West has conceptually transformed Hagia Sophia into the international symbol that it is today. While other books have covered the architectural history of the structure, this is the first study to address its status as a modern monument. With his narrative of the building's rebirth, Nelson captures its importance for the diverse communities that shape and find meaning in Hagia Sophia. His book will resonate with cultural, architectural, and art historians as well as with those seeking to acquaint themselves with the modern life of an inspired and inspiring building.

The Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia PDF Author: Robert Mark
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521416771
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 285

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Book Description
With its vast scale, immense cost, extraordinary speed of erection, and stunning interior space, the creation of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul between 532-537 is unparalleled in premodern, Western architecture. As such, the achievement begs answers to three important questions: the nature of the theoretical and material resources available to the early designers to achieve this great building; the behaviour over the centuries of its much modified structure under the action of environmental loadings; the ability of the present-day structure to withstand a major earthquake. In this volume, scholars and professionals from different disciplines exchange ideas and new information pertaining to the historical background, physical environment, design, and the state of the Hagia Sophia building structure over time.

Hagia Sophia in Context

Hagia Sophia in Context PDF Author: Ken Dark
Publisher: Oxbow Books Limited
ISBN: 9781789259872
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
An archaeological re-examination of the cathedral of Byzantine Constantinople, with fresh evidence about the appearance and function of the complex enabling us to reconsider what Hagia Sophia can tell us about the wider Byzantine world.

Mosaics of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Mosaics of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul PDF Author: Natalia Teteriatnikov
Publisher: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library & Collection
ISBN:
Category : Crafts & Hobbies
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description


Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia PDF Author: Bissera V. Pentcheva
Publisher: Penn State University Press
ISBN: 9780271077260
Category : Byzantine chants
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Examines the aesthetic principles and spiritual operations at work in Hagia Sophia. Drawing on art and architectural history, liturgy, musicology, and acoustics, explores the Byzantine paradigm of animation.

The Bronze Horseman of Justinian in Constantinople

The Bronze Horseman of Justinian in Constantinople PDF Author: Elena N. Boeck
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107197279
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 481

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Book Description
Biography of the medieval Mediterranean's most cross-culturally significant sculptural monument, the tallest in the pre-modern world.

The Mosque of St. Sophia

The Mosque of St. Sophia PDF Author: H. G. Samuelyan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 18

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Book Description


Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia PDF Author: Patrick Balfour Baron Kinross
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Architecture, Byzantine
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description


Orthodox Christians and Muslims

Orthodox Christians and Muslims PDF Author: Nomikos Michael Vaporis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
A collection of papers presented at the Orthodox -- Muslim dialogue held at Holy Cross.