Hagia Sophia is a historic monument located in Istanbul, Turkey, that has served as a church, mosque, and museum throughout its history. It was originally built as a Christian church in the 6th century CE during the Byzantine Empire under the direction of the Emperor Justinian I. The building is renowned for its impressive architecture, including its massive dome, intricate mosaics, and ornate decorations. In the 15th century, following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.
![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/X7xGmcPk4Gw/maxresdefault.jpg)