Following these events, Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of a new Hagia Sophia which will be greater than the earlier ones.Anthemius from Tralles and Isidorus from Miletus worked as architects. They supervised 100 master builders and 10 000 labourers.
The finest and rarest materials from Anatolia, Syria, Egypt and ancient cities of Greece were used for the church. A central dome in the middle of a rectangular place was firstly tried in architecture history.
After 5 years, 10 months and 4 days; the construction of the last Hagia Sophia, which still stands in Istanbul, Sultanahmet, was finished. It is started February 23rd, 532 and it is completed on 27th December 537.
Opening was very showy. While ceremonies was going on, Emperor Justinian entered the church excitedly, to say a prayer of thanks to his God for allowing him to reach his big dream. He cried with pride, remembering the temple in Jarusalem: “Oh, Solomon, I have surpassed thee.”
During the time, the church was damaged many times because of the big earthquakes and fires. So it is repaired and rainforced.
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