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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…

Sophia of Nassau (Sophia Wilhelmine Marianne Henriette, Swedish: Sofia; 9 July 1836 - 30 December 1913) was Queen consort of Sweden and Norway. Sophia was Queen of Sweden for 35 years, longer than any other Swedish queen before her.

Sophia of Nassau

Sophia of Nassau (Sophia Wilhelmine Marianne Henriette, Swedish: Sofia; 9 July 1836 - 30 December 1913)…