Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Architects: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus
Completed: AD 537

The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, situated in Istanbul, is one of the most beautiful architectural landmarks in the world. The mosque’s architecture is a vision of Byzantine architecture yet deeply rooted in Roman architectural traditions, inspired by basilicas, public forums, and monumental engineering.

It was built under the direction of the Emperor Justinian I, symbolizing the might and faith of the Byzantine Empire. The design of the mosque was pioneering at the time, aiming to establish a monumental spiritual space that represents heaven on earth.