Hagia Sophia, Trabzon
Encyclopedia
The church of Hagia Sophia , now the Hagia Sophia Museum, is a former Chalcedonian (Greek Orthodox) church located in the city of Trabzon
in the north-eastern part of Turkey
. It dates back to the 13th century when Trabzon was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond
. It is located near the seashore and 2 miles west of the medieval town's limits. It is one of a few Byzantine
sites still existent in the area.
Hagia Sophia was built in Trebizond during the reign of Manuel I
between 1238 and 1263. After Mehmed II
conquered the city in 1461 the church was converted into a mosque and its frescos covered in whitewash. During World War I
and for a brief period afterward, the city was occupied by the Russian military and used as a makeshift hospital and depot. Afterwards it was put back into use as a mosque, until 1964 when it was turned into a museum - which it remains to this day. From 1958 to 1964 the frescoes were uncovered and the church consolidated with the help of experts from Edinburgh University and the General Directorate of Foundations.
The Hagia Sophia church is an important example of late Byzantine architecture
, being characterised by a high central dome
and four large column arches supporting the weight of the dome and ceiling. Below the dome is an Opus sectile
pavement of multicolored stones. The church was built with a cross-in-square plan, but with an exterior form that takes the shape of a cross thanks to prominent north and south porches. The structure is 22 metres long, 11.6 metres wide and 12.7 metres tall. The late 13th-century frescos, revealed during the Edinburgh University restoration, illustrate New Testament
themes. External stone figurative reliefs and other ornamenting is in keeping with local traditions found in Georgia and Armenia.
24 metres to the west of the church is a tall bell tower, 40 metres high. It was built in 1427 and also contains frescoes.
Trabzon
Trabzon is a city on the Black Sea coast of north-eastern Turkey and the capital of Trabzon Province. Trabzon, located on the historical Silk Road, became a melting pot of religions, languages and culture for centuries and a trade gateway to Iran in the southeast and the Caucasus to the northeast...
in the north-eastern part of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. It dates back to the 13th century when Trabzon was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond
Empire of Trebizond
The Empire of Trebizond, founded in April 1204, was one of three Byzantine successor states of the Byzantine Empire. However, the creation of the Empire of Trebizond was not directly related to the capture of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade, rather it had broken away from the Byzantine Empire...
. It is located near the seashore and 2 miles west of the medieval town's limits. It is one of a few Byzantine
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
sites still existent in the area.
Manuel I of Trebizond
Manuel I Megas Komnenos , Emperor of Trebizond from 1238 to 1263, surnamed the "Great Captain", was the second son of Alexios I, the first emperor of Trebizond, and Theodora Axuchina. He succeeded his brother, John I Axouchos...
between 1238 and 1263. After Mehmed II
Mehmed II
Mehmed II , was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire for a short time from 1444 to September 1446, and later from...
conquered the city in 1461 the church was converted into a mosque and its frescos covered in whitewash. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and for a brief period afterward, the city was occupied by the Russian military and used as a makeshift hospital and depot. Afterwards it was put back into use as a mosque, until 1964 when it was turned into a museum - which it remains to this day. From 1958 to 1964 the frescoes were uncovered and the church consolidated with the help of experts from Edinburgh University and the General Directorate of Foundations.
The Hagia Sophia church is an important example of late Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as the Roman Empire after AD 330, when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire east from Rome to...
, being characterised by a high central dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
and four large column arches supporting the weight of the dome and ceiling. Below the dome is an Opus sectile
Opus sectile
Opus sectile refers to an art technique popularized in the ancient and medieval Roman world where materials were cut and inlaid into walls and floors to make a picture or pattern. Common materials were marble, mother of pearl, and glass. The materials were cut in thin pieces, polished, then trimmed...
pavement of multicolored stones. The church was built with a cross-in-square plan, but with an exterior form that takes the shape of a cross thanks to prominent north and south porches. The structure is 22 metres long, 11.6 metres wide and 12.7 metres tall. The late 13th-century frescos, revealed during the Edinburgh University restoration, illustrate New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
themes. External stone figurative reliefs and other ornamenting is in keeping with local traditions found in Georgia and Armenia.
24 metres to the west of the church is a tall bell tower, 40 metres high. It was built in 1427 and also contains frescoes.
External links
- Monasteries of Trabzon
- Hagia Sophia of Trabzon/Trebizond
- Other Christian Churches converted to Mosques
- PontosWorld
- The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trapezounta, Pontos by Dr Constantine Hionides