Pilot Lecture: The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

See how the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque represent the dynamic interaction of two empires, and their respective religious identities, as they each aspired to situate themselves in power and influence.

Overview

Course No. 90132

Built a millennium apart, but sitting a five-minute walk from each other, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque typify the two most dominant civilizations ever to center themselves in the city: the Byzantine Empire, which was Christian, and the Ottoman Empire, which was Muslim.

Join Professor Jill Carroll to examine these two striking, frequently visited sacred structures within the “Historic Areas of Istanbul”—a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Discover how the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque each have their own histories of reflecting imperial power and prestige—histories which date back to the sixth century CE and continue to the present day.

Video Lecture

1. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
   Professor Jill Carroll introduces you to two structures within the “Historic Areas of Istanbul”—a designated UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. Built a millennium apart, but sitting a five-minute walk from each other, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque typify the two most dominant civilizations ever to center themselves in the city: the Byzantine Empire, which was Christian, and the Ottoman Empire, which was Muslim. Discover how the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque each have their own histories of reflecting imperial power and prestige—histories which date back to the sixth century CE and continue to the present day.