Four mausoleums were built to the south of Hagia Sophia. The baptistery was also converted into a mausoleum. The facade of each mausoleum is decorated with ornamental tiles and exquisitely crafted doors.

The first small building, in the section of the courtyard where the mausoleums are located, is a mausoleum of the crown princes. The second is that of Sultan Murad III (1546-1595). A total of fiftyfour sultans and crown princes repose in this mausoleum built by the famous architect Davut Aga.

The third mausoleum is that of Sultan Selim II. It was built in the 16th century by the most famous of all Turkish architects, Sinan, and is an exquisite example of Islamic architecture. It has an overwhelming atmosphere of serenity. Covered with richly patterned tiles, masterpieces of wood carving and calligraphy decorate the walls.

Sultan Mehmed III (1595-1603) lies in the fouth mausoleum. Some of the crown princes of the same family and the women of the palace, also rest in this same mausoleum.

The pulpit (Minbar) and preacher's pew were added to the interior during the reign of Murad IV. In 1739, Sultan Mahmud I built a library and a primary school in the south. In the stone courtyard, the first Turkish monument which catches the eye, is the impressive fountain for ablutions. Built to serve as a place for ritual ablutions before praying, it is a superb example of Ottoman baroque art. It was built by Sultan Mahmud I in 1740. Next to the fountain is the primary school built by the same sultan.

On the left of the exit is a building now used as an office. Built in the 19th century, it was once the (clock room). In the middle of the room, on a round table, once stood a large, extremely precise clock. The pupils could look through the windows to find out the exact time.

North of Hagia Sophia, there were two important edifices built during the Turkish era: the Madrasa (theological school) and the Imaret (charity organization). The Madrasa has been totally demolished in recent years, but the Imaret is in good condition and serves as a depot. Built by Sultan Murad III in the 16th century, it was used to distribute food to the needy.

The Hamam (public bath) is 100 meters from Hagia Sophia, situated to the east of Sultanahmet Park.

In 1850, Sultan Abdulmecit added the present day Imperial Pew. During his reign (1833-1861), important repairs were entrusted to the Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati. He removed the plaster covering the mosaics and then re-plastered them. He decorated these newly plastered areas with frescoes. The building was completely renovated inside and out. An horologion was built to the south of the structure.

In the 20th century, Turkish leader Kamal Ataturk viewed the structure as a unifying symbol for East and West. He closed the Mosque in 1932, uncovered its medieval mosaics, and reopened Hagia Sophia as a museum in 1934. Nearly 15 centuries after Justinian, it stands as a monument to both human and divine wisdom.

1 - The Clock-house; 2 - The School; 3 - The Fountain; 4 - The Baptistery (The mausoleums of Sultan Ibrahim and Sultan Mustafa); 5 - The Mausoleum of the Crown Princes; 6 - The Mausoleum of Sultan Murad III; 7 - The Mausoleum of Sultan Selim II; 8 - The Mausoleum of Sultan Mehmet III; 9 - The present entrance door; 10 - The mosaic panel depicting the Great Constantine and Justinian with Mary and Christ; 11 - Emperor Leon VI prostrated in front of Christ. (over the Imperial Door); 12 - The stylished ornamental motifs and Byzantine arms over the Imperial Door, in the inside; 13 - The marble urns brought over from Bergama; 14 - The marble pews built by Sultan Murad III; 15 - The Muezzin's Tribune built by Sultan Murad IV; 16 - Omphalos (The coronation spot from 1204 onwards); 17 - The Minbar; 18 - The Sovereign's Pew built during the repair works of 1847-1849; 19 - The previous Sovereign's Pew; 20 - The corridor near the Minbar and the picture of Kaaba; 21 - The Mihrab (altar); 22 - The sweating column (the miraculous column of Hagius Grigorious in the Byzantine Period); 23 - The Library built by Sultan Mahmud I; 24 - The pier on which was placed a marble plate with a hand print on; 25 - The winding ramps leading to the upper Gallery; 26 - The Treasury in the Byzantine Period (Skevophylakion); 27 - The room at the back of Sovereign's Pew; 28 - The sacred wall; 29 - The Metatorium (reserved for the Emperors); 30 - The Eastern entrance door; 31 - The Horologion; 32 - The Public Fountain; 33 - The water tanks; 34 - The Minarets; 35 - The Imaret (establishment of charity); 36 - The Entrance gate of the Imaret; 37 - The ounterforts; 38 - The remains of St Sophia of Theodosius II.

1998 One quarter of the mosaic decorating the dome of Istanbul's Hagia Sophia has been restored as part of an overall conservation plan that includes monitoring the building's resistance to earthquakes. The Turkish government allocated $540,000 for the restoration of the building, which was recently included on the World Monuments Watch's list of the 100 most endangered sites.

The UNESCO mission recommended an investigation of the impact of the increasing numbers of visitors on the level of humidity in Hagia Sophia. The mission advised that temporary measures for increasing the circulation of air in the building might lessen humidity, and suggested that further excavations in the area around the Hagia Sophia could provide more information about the two earlier churches built on the site.

Hagia Sophia Part One >