It's a church. It's a mosque. It's Hagia Sophia. - Kelly Wall
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If walls could talk, Turkey's Hagia Sophia would have an abundance of stories to tell. Once a church, then a mosque, and later a museum, this world marvel has stood the test of time and war, surviving centuries of conquest by some of history’s greatest empires. Kelly Wall takes us through the history of each layer of this great jewel of human desire.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
After being a museum since 1934, it was announced in 2020 that the Hagia Sophia would be converted back into a mosque. Read more about the decision here and read about how the transformation back into a mosque has unexpectedly emulated the building’s storied past.
Take a look at the architecture of the Hagia Sophia, and the technology necessary to rest the largest dome ever built onto a square base.
The Hagia Sophia is one of the most Important structures in Byzantine history. Learn more about the Byzantine Empire’s rise and fall, and uncover the secrets of its underground cities. Or, learn more about the rise of the Ottoman Empire after the fall of the Byzantines, and find out how in just a few generations, a small principality outmaneuvered more powerful neighbors to become the vast Ottoman Empire.
A Mediterranean Summer of Learning and Travel Educator Kelly Wall applied for a special grant through the National Endowment for the Humanities to learn more about how Istanbul was a major gateway between the Eastern and Western worlds. A grant is typically a monetary award given by the government or an organization to support a cause, or in this case, to help teachers become better teachers and learn more about what they teach. You can read more about what Ms. Wall will be studying and where she will travel here.
Take a look at the architecture of the Hagia Sophia, and the technology necessary to rest the largest dome ever built onto a square base.
The Hagia Sophia is one of the most Important structures in Byzantine history. Learn more about the Byzantine Empire’s rise and fall, and uncover the secrets of its underground cities. Or, learn more about the rise of the Ottoman Empire after the fall of the Byzantines, and find out how in just a few generations, a small principality outmaneuvered more powerful neighbors to become the vast Ottoman Empire.
A Mediterranean Summer of Learning and Travel Educator Kelly Wall applied for a special grant through the National Endowment for the Humanities to learn more about how Istanbul was a major gateway between the Eastern and Western worlds. A grant is typically a monetary award given by the government or an organization to support a cause, or in this case, to help teachers become better teachers and learn more about what they teach. You can read more about what Ms. Wall will be studying and where she will travel here.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Kelly Wall
- Director Andrew Foerster
- Script Editor Michael Molina
- Narrator Pen-Pen Chen
