Hagia Sophia - Istanbul's Ancient Mystery FULL SPECIAL | NOVA | PBS America

Follow engineers as they build a massive 8-ton model of the building's core structure, place it on a motorized shake table, and hit it with a series of simulated quakes, pushing it collapse-a fate that the team is determined to avoid with the real building.
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[@TDOTMUSICNERD]

A truly amazing building.. standing in that place was humbling

[@georgekanavaros1842]

[ 49:39 ] Evidently, Hellenic engineers "designed for longevity TO SURVIVE", to provide WISDOM and teach today's scientists/engineers but also "an experience that's completely different than anything else in the world ". NB: Apparently, this all connects to the fact that Hellenes (Greeks) named Ayia Sofia exactly as " Σοφία του Θεού " which specifically translates to " Wisdom of GOD " !!! Then, because of turkey's EGO/PRIDE they found it necessary to plaster-over Orthodox Christianity before proceeding to use our Christian Cathedral for their prayers !?!? ........ any Wisdom ???? 💖💖🙏

[@Mr_ToR]

Thank you WGBH and NOVA for producing this documentary. Thank you PBS America for making it available for everyone.

[@ThomasGazis]

I am surprised by the fact that in this video the people who designed and built Haghia Sophia are not explicitely mentioned, as if that were a trivial fact! Well, here they are: the Greek Byzantines!

[@GordyThomas]

15:00 How much more explicit mention is required?

[@YY-ug9mv]

They were Romans.No Greek in 400 CE.

[@nilslindqvist8825]

If so, I’m not. A mosque becoming a cathedral is viewed as being a tragedy, a cathedral becoming a mosque is viewed as being something beautiful. All this according to the self haters of the western world.

[@ThomasGazis]

@@GordyThomas that's not explicit at all! Till the 15th minute Haghia Sophia is described as some sort of "Turkish" monument!!! Then, a little before the 15th minute the emperor Justinian is mentioned as Roman (not Byzantine). And then the video goes "Justinian turns to Greek mathematicians"! So, if I were an uninformed viewer, I would have understood that 1) Haghia Sophia is some sort of Roman - Turkish monument 2) that the Roman - Turkish authorities commissioned two outsiders, two Greek mathematicians, to make the designs of Haghia Sophia.

[@ThomasGazis]

@@YY-ug9mv yes of course...they were "Romans", if that serves your nationalistic agenda...I am of Byzantine descent though and I don't feel "Roman" at all! I feel Greek! My Byzantine ancestors many generations ago were Greeks! And they were not a minority in Constantinople / Asia Minor but the majority of the population in Greek Byzantium!

[@FotoulaMichailidis]

Agia Sophia and Konstadinoupolis are the proper names. ❤❤❤

[@steppenwolf5956]

this is history buddy game is over you can try to rename it

[@oguzb.7033]

Istanbul and Aya Sofya. Turk since 1453.

[@induchopra3014]

​@@steppenwolf5956 history should be learnt correctly. Its the only thing that cannot be changed. Its a church. Noone can change that ever. Its a Christian marvel. It can never be islamic

[@gregoryk2365]

@@oguzb.7033 ya but you didn't built. It's your biggest tourist attraction. and ever since the turkish brain has yet to built anything remotely close to it's magnificence since 1453

[@Μάικ-ν5φ]

​@oguzb.7033 your two biggest cities have Greek names, your biggest tourist attraction is a Greek orthodox building. The dna of the majority of your western citizens is Greek. Greek is still being spoken around Trapezounta. It must be embarrassing that the only valid argument that you have is "but we butchered you".

[@suleymansekman2697]

Thank you All! I enjoyed lot! Awsome! cheers.

[@Amir-ob2ft]

Well-documented video, highly impressed with how seismic effects on structures are being carried out in the lab by Cakti and the team associated with its preservation.

[@danielc6925]

Wrong title ... it should be Constantinople's Ancient Mystery ...

[@ercanylmaz967]

cry more, ur madness wont change anything

[@LondonPower]

Even Istanbul is Greek name Bul is for Polis, all the cities in Turkey have Greek names Trabson Izmir Erzerum Sinope Attalya Edirne Konya Sivas Agkara 😂

[@MaaanMaanMan]

Really. The whole turkey is built on Greek and Armenian lands

[@JacquesMare]

Κλέφτες.....

[@oguzb.7033]

@@MaaanMaanMan So what?

[@peaceloving1626]

There could be no better conclusion than the last line. Striking! ❤

[@vicky-s4c9x]

Agia Sophia stands as a symbol for Greek Christians. Always Greek

[@majeromajero7330]

A symbol for Christ in the land.

[@1Nevergiveup]

Greek word AGIA is actually SAINT

[@soulanicolaou3453]

Tell them please!!! a bravo

[@teresitacaceres6784]

Hagia Sophia are Greek words means Holy Wisdom

[@RenataRoriz-td3vu]

What would be the Occidental world without our beautiful churches? Our beautiful culture? Rich, beautiful Christian culture.

[@user_1234abc]

It is beautiful Roman Pagan culture, Your civilization is Rome and Rome was destroyed by Christianity

[@the_n0mad]

No one would care

[@panos96pap]

@@user_1234abc rome was nothing but a copycat of greek civilization

[@cardndmch]

nobody give a damn about the culture, learn exacts sciences, and stop "decorate" this garbage world

[@KramiIion]

@@user_1234abc rome is christian

[@deocontreras.business.advisor]

The PBS video on Hagia Sophia discloses and unravels so many facts on how to build a huge structure and reasons behind the usage of the materials and design worth learning in current construction methods and activities. Thank you!

[@crazyvideosmaniaA1]

One of the oldest building in the world.1500 years old

[@1Nevergiveup]

Glad to hear from a true greek

[@doriswilliams5731]

Just Exquisite, Incredible, extraordinary,!!!!

[@IvanValerioCortesi]

Big shame for Christians around the word 😢😢😢

[@melsvant]

why?🤨

[@Ritza.Elefteria.Michaki]

Imagine, they are praying inside on Friday, and one day before have killed so many fateful Orthodox and loyal people .

[@GokhanGursel-eu1xm]

Of course, Christians join the war with flowers in their hands,

[@ayhankaracaoglu6845]

Miserable Rum ethnofascism

[@starmoon4510]

🇫🇷❤️🇮🇱✝️🙏

[@svendtveskg5719]

That's what they do.

[@annavasilaraki6422]

The achievements of ancient Greece you can find all over the world! Most museums are full of Greek art most of which were stolen while our country was under occupation as England, Italy, France, Germany! Costandinopoli is the name of the city and Agia Sofia the symbol of Christianity! The Acpopolis is still standing after all the wars and the looting! Turks have nothing to do with the greatness ... We can only give them credit for all the destruction and the disrespect that they have shown to such uniqe monument !!!

[@induchopra3014]

So true whole history of Islamic conquests show this pattern. They destroy other religions buildings. Or hijack them and rename them with few renovations. They destroyed Bamiyan budhaa statues. Taj mahal is a hindu building. Converted into a mauseleum

[@soulanicolaou3453]

Well said and fully true!!!

[@istanbullubenim5543]

@@induchopra3014 You better get your facts straight in history,

[@tractorSazi]

Aglamayi birak anna ayasofya mislumanlarindir bu kiyamete kadarda boyle kalacaktir 😃😃😃surungen yunanlilar 😃😃

[@amalxavier5102]

Constandinouspolis wouldn’t want to hear this

[@pyrusheliosmk2204]

Then be glad, that it doesn't exist.

[@merlindavilla797]

I was here AMAZING CHURCH ..

[@tractorSazi]

Kilise öldū artik orasi bir CAMII 😃😃😃

[@Venicebitchbylizzy_]

@@tractorSaziismi “kutsal ruh”olan cami süsü verilmiş bir katedral ama sen bilirsin

[@tapeUliku]

​@@tractorSazinow will be back to the original

[@37bappa]

@@tractorSazi…….you bastards in history as a religion having fighting amongst yourselves…Shias and Sunnis…u recall ? Look at recent Syria pig

[@freshdonkey1760]

​@@tapeUlikuyes one day for sure.

[@ianlumley6474]

The big circular Quaranic discs are horribly incongruous

[@jonovision1759]

The Turk invaders were cave people

[@helenamcginty4920]

Not as horrible as the Christian cathedral plonked inside the great mosque in Cordoba Spain. Its awful.

[@orionpacks]

haha cope

[@starmoon4510]

🇫🇷❤️🇮🇱it’s so true

[@starmoon4510]

@@helenamcginty4920✝️🇫🇷❤️🇮🇱nah it’s look it better as a cathedral maybe you should get your eyes tested 😊

[@vibhusingh1457]

The video is old in scope. Hagia Sophia is no longer a museum. And there has been an earthquake more recent than the 90s earyhquake. So there is a need of an update.

[@spiff2005]

Video was first aired in February 2015. You are right: In 2020, it became a mosque again, welcoming worshippers as well as tourists

[@TesterAnimal1]

Imagine the ruckus that would happen if some Christian symbolism was inserted into a mosque.

[@GokhanGursel-eu1xm]

@@TesterAnimal1 alhambra and cordoba

[@accuratetaxes5504]

PROBABLY, TURKS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MOSQUES, THAT'S WHY A FEW YEARS AGO, THEY CONVERTED HAGIA SOPHIA INTO A MOSQUE.SURPRISINGLY, CHRISTINS LL OVER THE WORLD DIDN'T HAVE SAY. IT IS A SHAME!

[@starmoon4510]

@@GokhanGursel-eu1xm🇫🇷❤️🇪🇸Spain was always a Christian nation the Arab Muslims invaded and ruled ruthlessly for centuries but where eventually and rightfully removed from Spain by the Spanish 🇪🇸

[@alexisleon23]

There is NO MISTERY AT ALL ! The Greeks built it. All the masons were Greeks (Hellenes) and the architects were Anthemios and Isidoros !!! Enough with the Turkish propaganda.....

[@venus_envy]

I was thinking the same thing. No doubt the modern arabized Turks wish they could build like that. I think the Christian Anatolians, who had largely adopted aspects of Greek culture, surely could!

[@melg6834]

And what was it BEFORE it got turned into a church??!? A TEMPLE

[@vicky-s4c9x]

@@melg6834 It was built as a church. There is no "before"

[@hoehoe360]

Finally sm one said it

[@Light_spot_]

As a Persian I wish we still had Greeks and Armenians as our neighbors in Anatolia😢

[@2460z_htdja]

if it makes the Turks holy by making this a mosque, so be it; but still they refused to recognize the horrors of Armenian genocide

[@maryts3070]

Not only Armenians!!!!

[@annamamo3645]

It needs restoring.

[@whatevs1700]

It’s a disgrace that this is no longer a museum… and back to being a symbol of violent Islamic conquest and disregard for the people and religion that originally built this masterpiece.

[@induchopra3014]

This is same story of Taj mahal. A hindu rajputs residence converted into a mausoleum by Islamic rulers. Just put few wordings,4 minarets. They convert buildings, then claim it as Islamic architecture. Scratch the history, and nothing is Islamic. They destroyed most building

[@PattherTosser]

@@kzgntosbaga6255 tent dwellers has never built even needle or wiper blade, word of pakistani writer Hasan Nisar, every thing was stolen from others

[@swarnalathavemuri3170]

MUSLIM INVADERS WHO BECAME RULERS OCCUPIERS@@induchopra3014

[@majeromajero7330]

It took 2000 years to Indian Hindu to reclaim Babri Mosque to a Ram Temple again. So, have faith. Al Aqsa too will be reclaim by The Jews. Muslim will be forced to build their own grand mosque.

[@majeromajero7330]

@@kzgntosbaga6255 My bad. It was demolished by Aurangzeb about 366 yrs ago. Hindus built it back recently.

[@snifey7694]

im sorry whats so mysterious about Hagia sophia? its built by Justinian the guy and was a church for years! and then converted into a mosque, and then a museum, as well the place got a cat too

[@tractorSazi]

Tipik yunan yalanları iste😃😃😃

[@sima12216]

It's an amazing building❤

[@mangloreanwithabeard]

It's a Church and will always be .... ✝️☦️👑

[@sima12216]

@@mangloreanwithabeard church or mosque the most important thing it's AN AMAZING BUILDING 😀

[@mangloreanwithabeard]

@@sima12216 still not mosque , but church 👑✝️

[@sima12216]

@@mangloreanwithabeard it becomes mosque🕌

[@photographytravels]

​@@sima12216I disagree they can rename it to mosque but will always go down as church in world's history ✝️

[@rodpettet2819]

I've only ever seen it from the air in a low flying turbo prop, but I thought it an incredible and unforgettable building. That was in the early 60s. I wanted to visit but never had the time and money. I think the model makers lacked a lot of common sense.

[@xrysapriovolou6672]

Η πόλη λέγεται ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΎΠΟΛΗ

[@HumanBeing-]

Yakında Atina da İslam topraklarında olacak sende kahrından yok olacaksın

[@JohnDoe-rp3mx]

😂

[@semihbulut7754]

İSTANBUL!!!

[@tractorSazi]

Artik ISTANBUL dur bunu olmayan beynine sok😃😃😃😃

[@tractorSazi]

Artik sehrin adi ISTANBUL bunu o örumcek ağıyla kaplanmis beynine sok😃😃😃

[@JulianaEllina]

Indeed Even the name is Greek.

[@evifiouri4712]

It means Holy Wisdom. The full name was the church of God's holy wisdom

[@sephmanatac8569]

It's a GREAT CHRISTIAN CATHEDRAL!!!

[@sallycoop935]

It is a GREAT GREEK ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CATHEDRAL!!!

[@ahteshamahmed4316]

​@@sallycoop935it's a great beautiful mosque don't you think that

[@leftfield123]

Not for a long, long time!

[@starmoon4510]

Amen ✝️

[@starmoon4510]

@@ahteshamahmed4316🇫🇷❤️🇮🇱Stolen Cathedral and forcefully turned into a mosque it’s moments like this that give me immense joy that Al Aqsa third holiest place in Islam is controlled by Jews in the biblical state of Isreal 😊

[@allenissa6966]

so sad to see one of most iconic churches to be stolen and converted into mosque

[@direnius]

Are you equally critical and sesitiveabout the thousands of historical artifacts the Europeans plundered all over the world (inc. modern day Turkey) and put into their museums throughout Europe? And are you aware that they are still resisting to return them to their rightful places?

[@MaaanMaanMan]

@@direniuswhy WOULD you build your MOSQUES in EUROPE???? WHY? You built your mosques on lands of other peoples and then you’re wondering why they are destroyed? LOL

[@zahirhussain5913]

Hagia Sophia was Not a church while takeover by conqueror. but abandoned building. No spritual was there while safeguarded ( not stolen ) by muslims . Look history. " a church ( Hagia Sophia) that had been avoided by the Orthodox since, in their view, the Catholics had contaminated it in December 1452, when the formal celebration of the union of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches had taken place. Since that fateful day it had been seen as the abode of demons and a pagan temple " " And the Great church was considered by them to be a refuge of demons and a Hellenic ( Pagan ) Temple ". Book : The siege and the fall of Constantinople in 1453 . Author Marios Philippides and Walter K . Hanak Edition : 2011 Page : 227 , 228 " The fact is that during the last months of Byzantine Constantinople, the Great Church had been avoided by the pious Orthodox, who had concluded that their cathedral had been contaminated by Catholic rites during the celebration of the union between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in December 1452....... After the celebration of the union, the church never functioned properly and was regarded as the abode of demons and as a pagan temple, " and the Great Church was considered by them to be a refuge of demons and a Hellenic temple.............Santa Sophia became a focal point for the Greeks only after the Turks entered the city, when the population flocked there in search of asylum. " Evidence: Tears of the Great Church Author : Marios Philippides Page : 724 So , the Aya Sofia not stolen by muslims. That building ( Hagia Sophia ) was abandoned by orthodox patriarch and people. 1). Muslim rulers took just abandoned building , not running church ie spritual building . Still, it is safeguarded by muslims . Not burning down like Christians done and doing still now . Now, This is property of muslims 2). Aya Sofia is not the property of today's orthodox or Greeks. That place belongs to Greco-Ottaman's ancestors. That means, these ancestors accepted Islam and became muslim elites ( Greco- Ottoman ) in Ottoman rule. They played role in establishing broad Ottoman Empire. 3). Religion can not have property. Property actually belongs to people. Property of the religion can only be its holy book. So religion can claim only its holy book as its property. Immovable property always belongs to the people. So, Aya Sofia is not a religious issue. It is a property issue. This issue settled by new patriarch of Constantinople , Gennodios - II, in 1454 . He accepted the changes. He never even requested to return. Because, Hagia Sophia was occupied by catholic demons as per orthodox belief 4). Now to retake by Christian fanatics, there is no chance after Geneva agreement in 1942 or 1945 . It tells that no changes should be made in religious places after conquering others.

[@yasarmajid134]

Oh like the mosque in Al adulasia

[@honeybunch5765]

We truly have an obsession with old structures. The money spent on this structure and how to keep it intact could have lifted some people out of poverty. Humans are strange.

[@AndresBrenes-]

Speaking from Costa Rica. Never knew anything about your country and I guess you haven't about mine... I'm guessing you are from Istanbul. This building make me want to visit Istanbul, and just with a little google search, discover 30 million people visit the church per year, not taking care of this place would be one of the most stupid think somebody would be capable to do...and also make a lot of people poor. Politely STFU!

[@ayhankaracaoglu6845]

Not nearly 1000 years but nearly 1500 years.

[@Carlo-zk2cy]

There’s a reason why the Roman Civilization lasted 2,206 and fell just 39 years before Columbus set foot on Americas.

[@aris9560]

yeah well, commerce to the East was cut off by the ottomans and europe ventured west-wards

[@TheHuski]

Built by Ancient Greeks to stand the test of time. Turks trying now to figure out it's secrets.. Is Priceless...

[@TheManCaveYTChannel]

The current iteration was built by Roman emperor Justinian.

[@user-yf6pl1sn6f]

Built by Roman emperor Justinian as well as made by Greek architecture 😊

[@TheManCaveYTChannel]

@@user-yf6pl1sn6f Like many other roman structures.

[@TheHuski]

@@user-yf6pl1sn6f Byzantine Emperor Justinian who was eastern Orthordox not catholic.

[@TheHuski]

⁠Byzantine Emperor..

[@direnius]

The way they built that model certainly doesn't look like a scientific replica of the original building. Looks more like a hobby modelists job.

[@oguzb.7033]

I am sure you have ideas to do it better.

[@infotrady2178]

What an ashole!

[@anonfinally1692]

Thank you I was thinking the same. It looks very flimsy and the techniques and materials fail the original. You can't just scale down the building and build it without imitating the original techniques. Also, the shake table test should not be considered accurate they only put a scale model on it and rocked it. Real life Hagia Sofia is embedded in the stone ground which greatly affects how it interacts with earthquakes. It is not just put over the ground.

[@SammyB-Habebe]

Older than Islam ☪️

[@AlphaBravoCharlie777]

Actually the belief is that Islam was the only way of life since Abraham and laws were completed with last prophet. So with that belief it's not older than Islam.

[@charbelkhoury3986]

@@AlphaBravoCharlie777 Older than Islam.

[@Nikitaxo24]

​@AlphaBravoCharlie777 yes because your muslim. To a Christian or a jew would disagree there.

[@Nikitaxo24]

​@@charbelkhoury3986Actually, Islam isn't the oldest religion-Judaism is, followed by Christianity, and then Islam. Judaism goes back to around 1800 BCE, Christianity started in the 1st century CE, and Islam came later in the 7th century CE. Even though Islam is the youngest, it builds on the teachings of both Judaism and Christianity, recognizing key figures like Moses and Jesus as prophets. Also, something interesting to note is the Hagia Sophia. It was originally built as a Christian church in 537 CE, but after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, they converted it into a mosque. Today, it's a museum that reflects the rich religious history of the region.

[@brentsams9980]

Hands down for the ancient engineers and architectures that no ones ever understood the science they create on this acient buildings! 💪🏻😂

[@keziflowers]

Ha, I love history. So much is being exposed. So many great Christian churches were stolen or destroyed! But the ✝️ will never die.

[@iXpress]

Come to Asia, so many Temples were destroyed by Christian Inquisition.

[@GokhanGursel-eu1xm]

It was not stolen, it was conquered by war. A bunch of European vandals stole America, okay? Did it work for you?

[@reefmohammed3553]

Also many great mosque were stolen and destroyed but islam still standing

[@1Tulipan23]

And in Spain there are so manny great constructions made by muslims! Engineering has noting to do with religion! All to to with money!

[@starmoon4510]

Amen ✝️

[@frankosina4322]

A Church. In Constantinople. Real fact.

[@Roudhr]

@@kzgntosbaga6255 Be ashamed thief.....be ashamed of flaunting stolen things....

[@frostflower5555]

It was doomed with the invaders...but hopefully it will be preserved as it is an important heritage site.

[@zahirhussain5913]

​@@Roudhr Hagia Sophia was Not a church while takeover by conqueror. but abandoned building. No spritual was there while safeguarded ( not stolen ) by muslims . Look history. " a church ( Hagia Sophia) that had been avoided by the Orthodox since, in their view, the Catholics had contaminated it in December 1452, when the formal celebration of the union of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches had taken place. Since that fateful day it had been seen as the abode of demons and a pagan temple " " And the Great church was considered by them to be a refuge of demons and a Hellenic ( Pagan ) Temple ". Book : The siege and the fall of Constantinople in 1453 . Author Marios Philippides and Walter K . Hanak Edition : 2011 Page : 227 , 228 " The fact is that during the last months of Byzantine Constantinople, the Great Church had been avoided by the pious Orthodox, who had concluded that their cathedral had been contaminated by Catholic rites during the celebration of the union between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in December 1452....... After the celebration of the union, the church never functioned properly and was regarded as the abode of demons and as a pagan temple, " and the Great Church was considered by them to be a refuge of demons and a Hellenic temple.............Santa Sophia became a focal point for the Greeks only after the Turks entered the city, when the population flocked there in search of asylum. " Evidence: Tears of the Great Church Author : Marios Philippides Page : 724 So , the Aya Sofia not stolen by muslims. That building ( Hagia Sophia ) was abandoned by orthodox patriarch and people. 1). Muslim rulers took just abandoned building , not running church ie spritual building . Still, it is safeguarded by muslims . Not burning down like Christians done and doing still now . Now, This is property of muslims 2). Aya Sofia is not the property of today's orthodox or Greeks. That place belongs to Greco-Ottaman's ancestors. That means, these ancestors accepted Islam and became muslim elites ( Greco- Ottoman ) in Ottoman rule. They played role in establishing broad Ottoman Empire. 3). Religion can not have property. Property actually belongs to people. Property of the religion can only be its holy book. So religion can claim only its holy book as its property. Immovable property always belongs to the people. So, Aya Sofia is not a religious issue. It is a property issue. This issue settled by new patriarch of Constantinople , Gennodios - II, in 1454 . He accepted the changes. He never even requested to return. Because, Hagia Sophia was occupied by catholic demons as per orthodox belief 4). Now to retake by Christian fanatics, there is no chance after Geneva agreement in 1942 or 1945 . It tells that no changes should be made in religious places after conquering others.

[@melsvant]

wake up man, to the reality :D cuz the ''fact'' you said is not even a fact :D

[@guriii1438]

Which was bought by the emporor of that time.

[@gerwinbitter4968]

A form of forced conversion became institutionalized during the Ottoman Empire in the practice of devşirme, a human levy in which Christian boys were seized and collected from their families (usually in the Balkans), enslaved, forcefully converted to Islam, and then trained as elite military unit within the Ottoman.

[@1Tulipan23]

It's construction has noting to do with today's istanbul or Turkey!

[@leftfield123]

Except for the simple fact that it's in Turkey and Istanbul.

[@asryorumcu5208]

European and American constructions has nothing to do with today's Americans and Europeans.They all belong to Turks right.

[@venus_envy]

Yes, but you know it's not a product of their culture or history, right? @@leftfield123

[@Μάικ-ν5φ]

​@@leftfield123 that's called imperialism and colonialism and it is not something to brag about.

[@markwinter7511]

​@leftfield123 the operative word being construction

[@Theodoros_Kolokotronis]

Hagia Sophia will always be the Grand “Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Constantinople”. The epitome of Byzantine Architecture. A formidable UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, the Byzantine Chants that were composed during the Byzantine era, were added by UNESCO in 2019 to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage "as a living art that has existed for more than 2000 years, the Byzantine chant is a significant cultural tradition and comprehensive music system forming part of the common musical traditions that developed in the Byzantine Empire.".

[@KarlStegman]

This will always be a church 🙏🙏🙏

[@induchopra3014]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤true. Its a church. Always. You csnt change the fact. Its its soul❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@psihodelija8917]

Does the thief has right on the object he stole in the eyes of justice ?

[@induchopra3014]

No. Its a church. Will always be a church. Its soul is Christian.. like Taj mahal is a hindu building renovated by the Islamic invaders. Converted into a mausoleum. With beautiful flowers motifs. Beautiful snakes and pots of hinduism all over. Just a few quranic verses written over it. Nothing Islamic about it

[@swarnalathavemuri3170]

Thank God Indu there is someone speaking sense in this insane debate

[@tractorSazi]

@@induchopra3014 ayasofya artik bir camidir .aglamayi kesin ruyalarinizda bile goremeyeceksiniz ayasofyanin kilise oldugunu pislik hristiyanlar😃😃😃

[@justsendmelocation313]

🤣🤣🤣🤣​@@induchopra3014

[@jannatal_firdaws]

Tajmahal in India was built by Emperor shahjahan for her wife mamtaz,It's not a church.

[@atpt5]

Hagia Sophia converted into a mosque 🤣🤣🤣why western media is not crying loudly... This was a UNESCO heritage. How can turkey convert this into a mosque. Right wing increases in turkey following Islamic ideology. This is controversial mosque.. Originally it was a church. How can they convert it. Does Allah allow prayer from other religious places which is forcely converted. I don't think he accepted that

[@syedrahim4771]

I think because this was built by Muslim

[@Μάικ-ν5φ]

@@syedrahim4771 I love your sense of humor...

[@georgesos]

The "Christian west" wants to suck up to erdogan, as he is their key to Russia as well as the M.East. That's why they stay silent. Like they did for Cyprus when the Turks invaded and occupied half the island,which remains until today under turkish control.

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

Here we have the evidences friends, how our planet is communicating with human specie, skilled architects deserve to be rewarded, a lot of more buildings survived any kind of natural disasters because a symbol of FAITH...a very clear warning how to build up safe structures earthquakes proof, if human existance is a Holy Blessing..it becomes this eternal. Our planet is capable to send us messages if we are willing to learn, FAITH is our symbiotic relationship with Mother Earth... that's the point friends ❤🎉❤

[@orkun62431]

Amazing.

[@Bibir3321]

End the occupation.

[@lucyfaire1980]

"Istanbul's Ancient Mystery"???? Wrong name

[@stelios5314]

Well Roman Era is in between the borderline of what we call as "ancient" and what we consider as "non ancient". I think the 6th century is not considered "ancient" though...

[@mihailkolev7578]

The Greeks 🇬🇷 could have had the city during WWI if they took advantage and better strategy against the Ottoman Turkish 🇹🇷 forces led by Kemal Ataturk. God protects 💜 ⛪ Hagia Sophia💒💜. I am an Orthodox Christian and this place is holy for every Christian ☦. It was never meant to be a Mosque 🕌. The Population of Istanbul is 15,305,657 (ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΎΠΟΛΗ) Constantinople.

[@Hasanbas-rv3vm]

Rome was never meant to be christian

[@HasanSan-fj1lk]

❤🎉❤ KEINDAHAN TAMAN SURGA ADN BUNGA TULIP BOSS ASYIIIK BANGET MANTAP ❤🎉❤

[@clusterguard]

ROGAMOS A LOS INGENIEROS, ENVIADOS POR ADONAI/ALLAH, QUE SALVE A SANTA SOFÍA, PATRIMONIO DE LA HUMANIDAD. AMÉN. GRACIAS, NOVA/PBS.

[@mangloreanwithabeard]

Beautiful Church ✝️☦️👑

[@lild2515]

Why would they need to keep the Ottoman defacing intact? Just remove all that Ottoman graffiti. That's all it really is.

[@jarosawbielski2301]

The whole word is around you like a grain on the scale, a drop of morning dew that fell to the ground.

[@Radosworld]

Greatest Ottoman achievement; I mean the looting of it.

[@d333my]

If it wasn't for the Ottoman buttressing, the shoddy Greek design would've collapsed long ago.

[@1Nevergiveup]

WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT TO NAME THE CHURCH BY ITS PROPER NAME?? Is it so hard to say AGIA SOFIA???? It’s proper pronunciation? It upsets me how the British change names and pronunciations of our historical Greek names. 😢😢😢

[@induchopra3014]

So true. Its name and status should be restored. Greek building can't be claimed as a Muslim architecture wonder. Its a church forever. It's a Greek marvel. Hijacked by turkey

[@frostflower5555]

It says Hagia. Is it supposed to be Agia? Just trying to understand. ♥

[@1Nevergiveup]

@@frostflower5555yes it is supposed to be AGIA stands for SAINT🥰

[@1Nevergiveup]

@@induchopra3014 thank you 🥰

[@miastupid7911]

ΑΓΙΑ ΣΟΦΙΑ = AGHIA SOPHIA= Literally means GODS HOLY WISDOM = CHRIST.

[@RajeshSoni-k7d]

Its Constantinople 🇬🇷🇬🇷

[@d333my]

Was 😂 another salty ancestor of the Greek invasion of Anatolia. The descendants of the Hittites finally kicked you out.

[@titob.yotokojr.9337]

It was originally built to give glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. May he be glorified there again.

[@sallycoop935]

In 8:41 FYI there is not a Mustafá Pasha mosque in Macedonia.

[@Do-not-be-sheep]

The first Hagia Sophia collapsed from a major earthquake. Constantinople was the capital of the eastern Roman Empire and although the majority were Greek speakers they considered themselves to be Roman. Like the colosseum pantheon and aqueducts it is a marvel of Roman engineering. I doubt we will ever come to fully understand how advanced the Romans were. But each civilization built on the knowledge and greatness of the previous civilizations. Mediterranean civilizations learned from each other while competing with each other. Egyptians Greeks carthaginians etruscans humanity is amazing and the Mediterranean had the advantage of perfect weather and a natural super highway

[@ntvans]

You are wrong.Greeks thrived in the whole region and were dominant for 1.500 years before Agia Sophia was built. All technological and scientific inventions were happening in the parts of the empire that Greek scholars and scientists lived. The list is endless....Don't fall for the BS they feed you at school...there is reason for that. Half of the Emperors were Greek.Greek culture and sciences were dominant thats why they never experienced Dark Ages like the Romans and the West.The navy flame throwers were called Greek fire. The last Emperor, a Greek, before the Ottoman conquest, in his last speech to his men who were Byzantines and Genoans called them ''sons of Romans and Greeks''

[@nezperce2767]

Just ask Marcus Porcius Cato on the matter between greeks and romans on culture and civilization. Then open a book in greek latin english german or french in order to find out why greek lang goes back to minor asia a bit before darious or kurds ( kurduchs) as you may not be easy for you to adk hettites or asyrians on it

[@elenilepouri7253]

What is the relation between ancient Rome and east Rome except the name? Why the Greek language was the dominate language in Anatolia M asia Pontos from Hellenistic period? East " romans " were ethnically Greeks calling themselfs " romans" after Christianity was the official state religion and the term Greek was forbitten as pagan Pantheon Colloseum Mediterranean Anatolia Konstantpolis Agia - Sofia Europe are Greek words - not roman

[@nezperce2767]

@@elenilepouri7253 hellenistic period is arround 350BC Minor Asia greek relics goes back an other 1000 years. Turks come arround 1200 later ( arround 900AD) in the larger area

[@elenilepouri7253]

@@nezperce2767 Yes M asia goes back but to Copper age but Anatolia later. Turkis invations were after 1050- without a regular state. It was after 1300 ( ottoman)

[@yecto1332]

Destruction is our beauty -Islam

[@rayanebeddar9152]

Jealousy 🤣🤣🤣

[@yecto1332]

@@rayanebeddar9152 nah uh Truth

[@apetreiraluca7161]

People here fighting whether it should be a church or a mosque and insulting other cultures: what is your plan for working towards a more peaceful and tolerant world?

[@lindarushton6502]

Most impressive beautiful work of art. I'm so glad it's in Turkey, exp atm.

[@namasi7070]

This was a church. Interesting to watch muslims complain of the new Ram Temple at Ajodhya in India.

[@swarnalathavemuri3170]

What can you expect from invaders, thieves, and the uneducated

[@ayesharehman2979]

Atleast this was not destroyed to build a Mandir

[@arthurdent2817]

A very sad story of stolen conquest, it’s a crime against all that is just …

[@oguzhan9424]

A story about succes and greatness to others…

[@Johnny24rs]

​@@oguzhan9424 Not anymore, those days are gone

[@oguzhan9424]

@@Johnny24rs You try to look down on Turks? Succes with that 🤣 I hope you are young enough to be surprised…

[@AliMozafari-wm9zw]

Let the Christian cry 24/7 😂😂😂

[@starmoon4510]

🇫🇷❤️🇮🇱It’s so true

[@HasanSan-fj1lk]

❤🎉❤ MIMPI MENULIS BISMILLAHIRRAHMANIRRAHIM ❤🎉❤

[@geevaillant8052]

Stolen land on borrowed time

[@oguzhan9424]

Succes with outlasting time.

[@asryorumcu5208]

Stolen places in the world are clearly known: America, South America, Australia, etc.

[@direnius]

Dont worry. We, as Eruopeans have more than enough stolen goods in our own museums.

[@oguzhan9424]

@@direnius Well said brother. Vast majority of Europeans life on the back of the poverty in Africa.

[@oguzb.7033]

Also USA, Australia, Canada are stolen lands.

[@eriktopolsky8531]

City was called Constantinople by both Christians and Muslims, even after Muslim Osman takeover - KONSTANTINIYE , it is only modern ATEISTIC TURKEY that renamed to Istanbul and moved capital to Ankara

[@royrached6668]

Nice Christian Architected..... Can we get back now !?

[@The3DProjects]

Built by Justinian the Great from Dardania ( modern day Albanian )

[@feniaspy455]

truly amazing building. Wish Turkish and Ottomans had respected it and not destroy it through the years. What a shame to turn it to a mosque and cover all the original artwork.

[@user55lovesfr95]

It is still a great cathedral, not a mosque. It is too great, majestic, and beautiful to become a mosque.

[@AliMozafari-wm9zw]

Cry me a River... 😂😂😂 ,,🕌💪🌙

[@direnius]

Why? Because mosques can't be majestic and beautiful?

[@charbelkhoury3986]

@@AliMozafari-wm9zw I see the only one crying here is you while the Op is simply stating facts so cry about it

[@zebrafish995]

Let us see the "Omphalion" again now that it is covered by blue carpets as Hagia Sofia has been converted to mosque again. This is where Byzantine emperors once stood and were correlated, its a disgrace to cover it with a carpet...

[@shimshonmelamed2888]

The narrator says: How can "Hagia Sophia" be for both Christianity and Islam? He is afraid to tell the truth, because there is radical Islam where anything can be.....

[@karenburrows9184]

He's not afraid to tell the truth, the documentary is very old, and was made when the Hagia Sophia was still a museum. The question, therefore, was valid at that time. Do some research.

[@oguzhan9424]

The truth is that radical islam does not exist. Its just a tool, propaganda if you will, to make brainwashed people like you have a new fear.

[@shimshonmelamed2888]

@@karenburrows9184 Greetings. Look at the history of Islam until today. Who killed Muhammad or Hussain or other prophets...? Where in the world is there a sword on the symbol of religion in the world? Who is going to kill and say "God is great"...? Unfortunately you will only find this in Islam!!

[@karenburrows9184]

@@shimshonmelamed2888 Greetings. According to the hadith, a Jewish woman killed Muhammad, in retaliation for Muhammed's conquest of Khaibar and the slaughter of the men of Banu Qurayza. Some versions say he forgave her. Regarding the sword, there are several, both past and present. One is actually Christian. It depends on the era and the national symbology. Many religions have killed and declared their god is great, Christianity being one.

[@shimshonmelamed2888]

@@karenburrows9184 If a Jewish woman killed Muhammad?! Why is much of Judaism mentioned in the Koran...???? ​

[@akak8299]

That is clear Islamist occupation. They must return it.

[@karenburrows9184]

Return it to who?

[@Soothsayer210]

when they (Muslims) can build two structures on the top of the most holiest place in both Judaism and Christianity (The Temple Mount), and on top of that restrict prayers there, we know for sure there is too much appeasement for Muslims going on now in the name of Democracy.

[@issith7340]

To the religion it was built first. Ask the Greek orthodox patriarch in Istanbul, for the address.

[@karenburrows9184]

@@issith7340 You're just spoiling to start a war on religious grounds, aren't you? Do you have any awareness of geopolitics?

[@oguzhan9424]

Try to take it! Nothing within Turkiye is something you can take a decision over! And besides, if this is your true tought, what about Andalucia?

[@tractorSazi]

Since 1453 aya sofya...😃😃😃😃

[@vizibilibende5194]

tebrize selamlar

[@tractorSazi]

@@vizibilibende5194 ve aleykum selam kardes yalniz tebrizli degilim ama futbol takimini severim

[@andyorfanakos8169]

Hagia Sophia is not Istanbul’s Ancient Mystery It was Constantinoples ancient Mystery as it was built before the Turks changed its name Your video is not very accurate and it sounds that the Turkish Government told what and how to say it

[@wnfernand]

Awesome!!! Excellent!!!

[@Happy-wb8gi]

Ave ROMAAAAA. What a amazing ROMAN Building.

[@rajivambrose6038]

Not once they mention it was romans who build this .. like wtf is even this

[@hellenicsun5792]

The Turks turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque because it is Greek! So when they kneel in Hagia Sophia, they kneel in front of the Greeks! Everyone must kneel in front of Greece!

[@aris9560]

Mystery? What mystery? Western Europe (Venetians, Francs, Germans, Lombards) were happy that Constantinople fell and have tried to burry Byzantium's history ever since. So have the turks of course who are embarrassed of their (lack of) history. Yet the Orthodox Christians, Greeks, Russians, Serbians, Romanians, Armenians have not forgotten one bit of their glorious past. I mean; the ancient ruins are still the highlight of this city and this speaks volumes about the civilization that built it vs. the civlisation that occupies it to this day.

[@gabrielgab6515]

Abdul cannot build a beautiful mosque, therefore they take Hagia Sophia to become their mosque, but true God is a living God, He do not stay in the house built by man. God is spirit, you must worship Him in spirit & truth.

[@ercanylmaz967]

cry more, we watch bu.. hurted people like u in enjoy

[@gabrielgab6515]

@@kzgntosbaga6255 bullshit & liars

[@mornangel1599]

Welcome this is joke ,look at,blue mosk,.SultanAhmet Camii.ok,.not jeleous.😅

[@HackSparrrowakaSicario]

Let them be happy sometime., So when the Christians take this back from these deceivers the pain and cry is nice to hear... look now in India they are crying for barbiemascheet and they're gonna keep crying here on..

[@d333my]

Good job the Ottomans took it over and added buttressing, otherwise the shoddy Greek design and construction would've meant it collapsed long ago.

[@PiriAbedRabbuh]

It must be told everething about that fascinating architecture,to avoid the "apple of discordia".

[@Rain-Dirt]

that model can hardly represent the real building. different materials, different densities, different material-mortar ratio, real foundation, the mortar used in the Hagia Sofia have a long curing period, the setting of the whole structure over time, absence of additional walls and buildings surrounding acting as support, ... Significant corners have been cut in making that model.

[@brianvirgin2995]

You mean great church built by the Greeks

[@paulocanlapan3191]

GIVE IT BACK TO CHRISTIANS YOU THIEVES

[@katarinakrajna4911]

Koľko ľudí navštívilo toto miesto??? a čo vieme o jej HISTÓRII🤨

[@giorgosarifoglu953]

Agia Sofia.... παρακαλώ. Αιντε τωρα ❤

[@Mr_ToR]

43:15 Kahve alıcam, çayı hiç beyenmedim. 🤣👌❤️

[@sleepingisvital8789]

Please do Mosque of Alhambra

[@eastgate5386]

It is not Hagia, but Saint Sophia

[@Μάικ-ν5φ]

It is either Holy Wisdom (of God) or Hagia (tou Theou) Sophia. Saint Sophia it is not.

[@Diamonddestroyer124-em8ow]

Does Turkey have an Armenian Genocide Museum? I'd love to go. There's so much beautiful history in Turkey.

[@tractorSazi]

Ermenilerin katlettigi turklerin mezarlari var gel gor

[@dggmn2109]

The documentary made a couple of mistakes there is no difference between the roman empire and the byzantine empire, the byzantines were calling themselves romans as the term Greek had the conotation of a Pagan and not Christian, the roman empire continued in the east for 1000 years after the barbarians sacked Rome. The Greeks still call themselves roman/romioi as they are the successors of the eastern roman empire. Macedonia is a Greek region what the documentary calls "Macedonia" is inhabited by Slavs and albanians and has not relation to Macedonia as Macedonia is Greek. The Great Church of God's Hagia Sophia ie God's Holy Wisdom has been desecrated since 1453 but who in the west cares we have more important things to deal about.

[@garyfrancis6193]

Been there.

[@zinosspirou8899]

Ancient times are before christianity.I suppose this ignorant documentary means about medieval times.

[@black__monk400]

Non-Turkish Muslims are commenting here with their hollow rhetoric. As a Turkish, Sophia monument is for humanity. It glorifies the ancient civilization that build this majestic building.

[@hamlet557]

Haghia Sophia was an orthodox church, then ottoman muslims came, and conquered it with their sword . They turned it into mosque, because that's Islam. At some point Turks wanted to pretend that they became "civilized" and "european" so they turned it into a museum. It was short-lived and they turned back into their normal traditions. Haghia symbolizes one thing : the conquerors show off their LOOT.

[@aris9560]

i cannot comprehend the feeling of a turk who sees the highlights of his city being a 1500 yr old church belonging to his enemies. In Greece everything we see or excavate has Greek origins. Only exception is the white tower in Thessaloniki which was built with Byzantine architecture so we kept it. It would be interesting to live on the ruins of another civilization but the ottomans didn't make a single positive contribution to the places they occupied by force. Their only heritage is bureaucracy and kleptocracy