The spectacular interior of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) in Istanbul, Turkey.

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Dedicated in 360, Hagia Sofia first served as a Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica - the Cathedral of Constantinople - for nearly 1100 years, until 1453. It subsequently became a Mosque before it was finally secularised in 1931.

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Size: 4480px × 3143px
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Photo credit: © Rob Pinney / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: aghia, ayasofya, basilica, cathedral, church, constantinople, greek, hagia, holy, ist, istanbul, mosque, orthodox, sofia, sophia, turkey, wisdom