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The Byzantine circular panel is a 6th century design found in Hagia Sophia of the former imperial Ottoman capital Constantinople in Turkey.

Byzantine Circular Panel

The Byzantine circular panel is a 6th century design found in Hagia Sophia of the former imperial Ottoman…

An illustration of the fortification around Constantinople and soldiers firing cannons.

Constantinople

An illustration of the fortification around Constantinople and soldiers firing cannons.

In the streets of Constantinople one might find lemonade sands, sweetmeats, coffee, and pipes and at all hours can be seen the native smoking accompanied by no end of dogs.

Life in Constantinople

In the streets of Constantinople one might find lemonade sands, sweetmeats, coffee, and pipes and at…

Cross section of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (historically Constantinople). The Greek name Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom." It is known as Ayasofya in Turkish. <p>The building was originally constructed as a church between A.D. 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire under Mehmed the Conqueror, who ordered the building be converted into a mosque. It was closed in 1931 and reopened as a museum in 1935. This important milestone in the history of architecture was the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years. It also greatly influenced the design of Ottoman mosques, including the nearby Blue Mosque.

Hagia Sophia

Cross section of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (historically Constantinople). The Greek name Hagia Sophia…

"Dome-System of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period reached its highest example and splendor in the church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. After this church, which was originally built by Constantine, had been burnt to the ground, it was rebuilt, with the utmost care, and at great expense, by Justinian. On each of he open sides of the dome-covered square there abuts a semicircle with semi-domes of somewhat inferior height to the main dome." This diagram shows how the semi-domes are penetrated on each side by three smaller vaults.

Dome System of Hagia Sophia

"Dome-System of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period…

"Exterior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Although the impression conveyed by this church is not so pure and simple as that which the basilicas produce, still its outlines are magnificent and imposing. The exterior displayed a novel divergency from the normal standard. Whist hitherto the antique form of the roof had been preserved, it was now replaced by a totally different one: inasmuch as the vaulting, at least of the domes, was visible from the outside without any screen, or the only covering it had was one of polished metal."

Exterior of Hagia Sophia

"Exterior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Although the impression conveyed by this church…

"Interior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Besides the Narthex, there was a second vestibule: both extended the whole breadth of the building. In front of it was an entrance court surrounded by a colonnade, which was entered through an arch resting on four pillars."

Interior of Hagia Sophia

"Interior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Besides the Narthex, there was a second vestibule:…

"Section of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period reached its highest example and splendor in the church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. After this church, which was originally built by Constantine, had been burnt to the ground, it was rebuilt, with the utmost care, and at great expense, by Justinian. On each of he open sides of the dome-covered square there abuts a semicircle with semi-domes of somewhat inferior height to the main dome."

Section of Hagia Sophia

"Section of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period reached…

The Byzantine interlacement band consists of wavy arcs and curves that have an angular bend. This design comes from the St. Sofia in Constantinople, Turkey.

Byzantine Interlacement Band

The Byzantine interlacement band consists of wavy arcs and curves that have an angular bend. This design…

The Byzantine Leaf is a design found in Constantinople.

Byzantine Leaf

The Byzantine Leaf is a design found in Constantinople.

"Semi-dome, exterior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911

Suleimanié Mosque

"Semi-dome, exterior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911

"Semi-dome, interior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911

Suleimanié Mosque

"Semi-dome, interior. Apse of Suleimanié Mosque, Constantinople (A.D. 1550)." -Whitney, 1911