Hagia Sophia, St. Sophia, Church of Holy Wisdom, Nave - Bishops Seats, North Gallery

Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum. From the date of its dedication in 4th Century until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople. The building was a mosque from 15th Century. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Interior decorated with mosaics, marble pillars and coverings. Hagia Sophia is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cite from 1985. Hagia Sophia was built on a domed basilica plan, it has a central nave, northern and southern side naves, and two narthexes in the west. The most important of Hagia Sophia's 107 columns are located on the ground floor. Some of these were brought from ancient temples and monuments in different regions of the empire.