In reconverting Hagia Sophia to a mosque, Turkish officials have emphasized veiling of Christian icons to create a Muslim prayer space. Experts explain why the veiling is in fact a Byzantine practice.

Mosaics in Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia will be covered by curtains or lasers during the Muslim prayers, the spokesman for Turkey’s governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has said.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their ...

Hagia Sophia will be "better preserved" following Turkey's decision to reconvert İstanbul's iconic architectural gem into a mosque after decades as a museum, the ruling Justice and Development Party's ...

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for centuries under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. It was turned into a mosque following the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. In 1935, the Hagia Sophia was ...

Although it no longer functions as a church, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, once the patriarchal basilica of the Archdiocese of Constantinople, is enough to knock one’s shoes off.

MOSCOW, July 15. /TASS/. Icons and frescos of Hagia Sophia will be preserved as they are despite the change in status, Turkish Ambassador to Russia Mehmet Samsar said in an interview with TASS.

Hagia Sophia, built by the Emperor Justinian I in 537, ... Turkish officials said the site would remain open to all and that its Christian icons and mosaics would not be damaged.

Hagia Sophia's Christian icons to be covered with curtains during prayers. Subscribe for less than $9/month to access this story and all Al-Monitor reporting. Subscribe . OR. Create an account for a 7 ...

ISTANBUL: Turkey’s Hagia Sophia could open to visitors outside prayer times and its Christian icons will remain, religious officials said on Tuesday, after a court ruling paved the way for it ...

Turkey's Hagia Sophia will open to visitors outside prayer times and its Christian icons will remain, religious officials said on Tuesday, after a court ruling paved the way for it to become a mosque.