Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Facing the Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque (officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque), its interior adorned with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles.

    Istanbul Debra Bruno 2007

  • Istanbul's Aya Sofya (also called the Hagia Sophia) began life nearly 1500 years ago, as a church. 1000 years later, after the Muslim conquest of Turkey, it was re-invented as a mosque: its mosaics were plastered over, and replaced by Islamic calligraphy.

    Matador Network 2009

  • Profoundly disturbing as usual, but I would like to point out as a Greek Cypriot that "Hagia Sophia" means in this case "Holy Wisdom" - although "Saint Sophia" would be written exactly the same. alan stoddart

    On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2008

  • Magnificent structures such as Hagia Sophia were built.

    Archive 2007-09-01 2007

  • Magnificent structures such as Hagia Sophia were built.

    Reviews of Byzantium: The Surprosing Life of a Medieval Empire, by Judith Herrin 2007

  • (For the benefit of any barbarians in my audience, though surely there are none, "Hagia Sophia" means "Holy Wisdom.")

    The Unicorn Trade Anderson, Poul and Karen 1984

  • Storming the last redoubt at the great church of Hagia Sophia was the final stage in a long series of events, one no more decisive than the last minute of rain before a flood.

    How the Battle Was Won, if Not Yet the War Alexander Rose 2011

  • On a visit to Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, he found carved into a balustrade some runes that read "Halfdan", probably the name of an 11th-century Viking mercenary.

    Bracelet of Bones by Kevin Crossley-Holland – review 2011

  • Ms. Trump now showed the way to the Hammam, a silver tile-lined room with twinkling lights in its domed ceiling and a white polished marble slab that captured all the charm and none of the chaos of that city at the crossroads of East and West, of colorful spice bazaars and the Hagia Sophia.

    Glowing, if Roughed Up Ralph Gardner Jr. 2011

  • Transport-obsessed toddlers will love that Hagia Sophia is a tram ride away, while Taksim Square can be reached by funicular.

    Summer holidays: 10 best places for under-fives 2011

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