# data[].attributes.headline
Most of the columns in the cistern are cylindrical except for a few that are angular or grooved. The two Medusa heads used as pedestals under the two columns in the northwest corner of the cistern are masterpieces of Roman sculpture art. It is not known from which structures the Medusa heads were taken and brought here, which attracted the most attention of the people visiting the cistern. Researchers generally think that they were brought during the construction of the cistern only to be used as a column base. However, this view did not prevent the formation of legends around the heads of Medusa. According to a legend, Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas, the female monster of the underworld in Greek mythology. Of these three sisters, the snakehead Medusa has the power to turn those who look at her into stone. According to one view, Gorgona paintings and sculptures were used to protect large structures and private places at that time, and this is why the head of Medusa was placed in the cistern. According to another rumor, Medusa was a girl who was proud of her black eyes, long hair and beautiful body. Medusa loved Perseus, son of Zeus. Meanwhile, Athena also loved Perseus and was jealous of Medusa. That's why Athena turned Medusa's hair into a snake. Now everyone that Medusa looked at was turning to stone. Later, Perseus cut off the head of Medusa and defeated many of his enemies by taking advantage of this power.Based on this, the head of Medusa was engraved on the sword hilts in Byzantium and placed on the column bases (to prevent the ministers from being cut into stones) upside down. According to a rumor, Medusa looked in the mirror and turned herself into stone. Therefore, the sculptor who made the sculpture here made Medusa in three different positions according to the reflection angles of the light.

# data[].attributes.subject
Most of the columns in the cistern are cylindrical except for a few that are angular or grooved. The two Medusa heads used as pedestals under the two columns in the northwest corner of the cistern are masterpieces of Roman sculpture art. It is not known from which structures the Medusa heads were taken and brought here, which attracted the most attention of the people visiting the cistern. Researchers generally think that they were brought during the construction of the cistern only to be used as a column base. However, this view did not prevent the formation of legends around the heads of Medusa. According to a legend, Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas, the female monster of the underworld in Greek mythology. Of these three sisters, the snakehead Medusa has the power to turn those who look at her into stone. According to one view, Gorgona paintings and sculptures were used to protect large structures and private places at that time, and this is why the head of Medusa was placed in the cistern. According to another rumor, Medusa was a girl who was proud of her black eyes, long hair and beautiful body. Medusa loved Perseus, son of Zeus. Meanwhile, Athena also loved Perseus and was jealous of Medusa. That's why Athena turned Medusa's hair into a snake. Now everyone that Medusa looked at was turning to stone. Later, Perseus cut off the head of Medusa and defeated many of his enemies by taking advantage of this power.Based on this, the head of Medusa was engraved on the sword hilts in Byzantium and placed on the column bases (to prevent the ministers from being cut into stones) upside down. According to a rumor, Medusa looked in the mirror and turned herself into stone. Therefore, the sculptor who made the sculpture here made Medusa in three different positions according to the reflection angles of the light.

# data[].attributes.headline
In the Depths of History              One of the magnificent historical structures of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern, located in the southwest of Hagia Sophia. This large underground cistern, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527-565), was called the "Basilica Palace" among the people because of the marble columns rising from the water and appearing as innumerable. It is also known as the Basilica Cistern, since there was a Basilica in the place where the cistern is located. The cistern is 140 m long. width 70 m. It is a huge building covering a rectangular area. Covering a total area of 9,800 m2, this cistern has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons. There are 336 columns, each 9 meters high, inside the cistern. These columns, erected at intervals of 4.80 meters from each other, form 12 rows of 28 columns each. The ceiling weight of the cistern was transferred to the columns by means of arches. Most of the columns, most of which are understood to have been collected from older buildings and carved from various types of marble, consist of one piece and some of them are made of two pieces. The headings of these columns have different features from place to place. While 98 of them reflect the Corinthian style, some of them reflect the Doric style. The cistern is built of bricks, 4.80 m. thick walls and brick-tiled floor were plastered with a thick layer of Khorasan mortar and made waterproof. Covering a total area of 9,800 m2, this cistern has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons.

# data[].attributes.subject
In the Depths of History              One of the magnificent historical structures of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern, located in the southwest of Hagia Sophia. This large underground cistern, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527-565), was called the "Basilica Palace" among the people because of the marble columns rising from the water and appearing as innumerable. It is also known as the Basilica Cistern, since there was a Basilica in the place where the cistern is located. The cistern is 140 m long. width 70 m. It is a huge building covering a rectangular area. Covering a total area of 9,800 m2, this cistern has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons. There are 336 columns, each 9 meters high, inside the cistern. These columns, erected at intervals of 4.80 meters from each other, form 12 rows of 28 columns each. The ceiling weight of the cistern was transferred to the columns by means of arches. Most of the columns, most of which are understood to have been collected from older buildings and carved from various types of marble, consist of one piece and some of them are made of two pieces. The headings of these columns have different features from place to place. While 98 of them reflect the Corinthian style, some of them reflect the Doric style. The cistern is built of bricks, 4.80 m. thick walls and brick-tiled floor were plastered with a thick layer of Khorasan mortar and made waterproof. Covering a total area of 9,800 m2, this cistern has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons.

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ns.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hagia Sophia, which was converted into a mosque with the conquest and served as a mosque for 481 years, was closed to the public with the start of restoration work in the 1930s. Then, it was turned into a museum by a decision of the Council of Ministers dated 24 November 1934. The Council of State canceled the said Council of Ministers decision on 10 July 2020. Hagia Sophia was reopened to worship with the Presidential Decree No. 2729, which was issued with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan right after.

# data[].attributes.subject
Hagia Sophia, which was converted into a mosque with the conquest and served as a mosque for 481 years, was closed to the public with the start of restoration work in the 1930s. Then, it was turned into a museum by a decision of the Council of Ministers dated 24 November 1934. The Council of State canceled the said Council of Ministers decision on 10 July 2020. Hagia Sophia was reopened to worship with the Presidential Decree No. 2729, which was issued with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan right after.

# data[].attributes.headline
One of the Ottoman sultans who showed the most interest in Hagia Sophia was Sultan II. Selim Han. Upon the building showing signs of fatigue II. Selim Han commissioned Sinan the Architect for the maintenance and repair of Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia, whose domes and walls collapsed many times during the Eastern Roman period, never collapsed after the arrangements of Mimar Sinan, despite many great earthquakes in Istanbul. Sultan II. also contributed to the construction of the sultan's tombs around Hagia Sophia. The graveyard of the Hagia Sophia Complex for Selim Han began with the first tomb built by Mimar Sinan.Since Fatih Sultan Mehmet Khan, every sultan has made an effort to beautify Hagia Sophia, and the mihrab, pulpit, pulpit, minarets, sultan's mahfili, fountain, madrasah, library and soup kitchen built over time.Hagia Sophia has been transformed into a complete complex with structures such as these. In addition, great importance was given to the interior decorations of the Hagia Sophia Mosque during the Ottoman period. Hagia Sophia was decorated with the most elegant examples of Turkish arts such as calligraphy and tiles, and new aesthetic values were added to the temple. Thus, Hagia Sophia was not only converted into a mosque, but also this common heritage of humanity was preserved and revived.

# data[].attributes.subject
One of the Ottoman sultans who showed the most interest in Hagia Sophia was Sultan II. Selim Han. Upon the building showing signs of fatigue II. Selim Han commissioned Sinan the Architect for the maintenance and repair of Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia, whose domes and walls collapsed many times during the Eastern Roman period, never collapsed after the arrangements of Mimar Sinan, despite many great earthquakes in Istanbul. Sultan II. also contributed to the construction of the sultan's tombs around Hagia Sophia. The graveyard of the Hagia Sophia Complex for Selim Han began with the first tomb built by Mimar Sinan.Since Fatih Sultan Mehmet Khan, every sultan has made an effort to beautify Hagia Sophia, and the mihrab, pulpit, pulpit, minarets, sultan's mahfili, fountain, madrasah, library and soup kitchen built over time.Hagia Sophia has been transformed into a complete complex with structures such as these. In addition, great importance was given to the interior decorations of the Hagia Sophia Mosque during the Ottoman period. Hagia Sophia was decorated with the most elegant examples of Turkish arts such as calligraphy and tiles, and new aesthetic values were added to the temple. Thus, Hagia Sophia was not only converted into a mosque, but also this common heritage of humanity was preserved and revived.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Ottomans, since the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, have paid great attention to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which they accepted and valued as the token of the conquest, continued its maintenance-repair activities and made the mosque a much stronger structure than before. Especially the additions and arrangements made by Mimar Sinan to Hagia Sophia played a major role in the survival of this human heritage. As a matter of fact, it is reported in the historical records that Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, who went to Hagia Sophia immediately after the conquest, recited the following lines, regretting the condition of the mosque:“Perdadari mîkoned ber kasr-i Kayser ankebut Bûm novbet mîzened der tarem-i Efrâsiyâb”(“The spider acts as a veil in the palace of the Kaiser, the owl watches over the sign of Efrasiyab”)Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, who dedicated the Hagia Sophia Mosque as his own charity and guaranteed the maintenance and repair costs by connecting a large number of mites, first started education activities by having a madrasah built next to the mosque. The first minaret of Hagia Sophia was built of wood during the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror. This minaret, which has existed for many years, was removed during the major repairs in 1574. The second minaret of Hagia Sophia Mosque is Sultan II. It was built of brick during the reign of Bayezid Khan.

# data[].attributes.subject
The Ottomans, since the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, have paid great attention to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which they accepted and valued as the token of the conquest, continued its maintenance-repair activities and made the mosque a much stronger structure than before. Especially the additions and arrangements made by Mimar Sinan to Hagia Sophia played a major role in the survival of this human heritage. As a matter of fact, it is reported in the historical records that Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, who went to Hagia Sophia immediately after the conquest, recited the following lines, regretting the condition of the mosque:“Perdadari mîkoned ber kasr-i Kayser ankebut Bûm novbet mîzened der tarem-i Efrâsiyâb”(“The spider acts as a veil in the palace of the Kaiser, the owl watches over the sign of Efrasiyab”)Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, who dedicated the Hagia Sophia Mosque as his own charity and guaranteed the maintenance and repair costs by connecting a large number of mites, first started education activities by having a madrasah built next to the mosque. The first minaret of Hagia Sophia was built of wood during the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror. This minaret, which has existed for many years, was removed during the major repairs in 1574. The second minaret of Hagia Sophia Mosque is Sultan II. It was built of brick during the reign of Bayezid Khan.

# data[].attributes.headline
Second Hagia Sophia, Emperor II. It was built by Theodosius on the first one and opened for worship in 415. This structure, which was also built in the form of a basilica and with a wooden roof, was destroyed by the rebels in the Nika Revolt against Emperor Justinian in 532.Emperor Justinian decided to have a Hagia Sophia built, much larger and more magnificent than the first two, right after the rebellion. The Third Hagia Sophia was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 532-537.Hagia Sophia, which was used as the Imperial Church of Eastern Rome, has been frequently destroyed by rebellions, wars and natural disasters throughout history. Hagia Sophia suffered one of the greatest destructions when the city was invaded during the 4th Crusade in 1204. The Crusaders looted Hagia Sophia along with the entire city. During the Latin occupation in Istanbul from 1204 to 1261, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a cathedral affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.Having suffered serious damage, Hagia Sophia was tried to be kept alive with repairs after the East Roman administration was restored in Istanbul. However, the repairs were insufficient and in 1346 the eastern arch and part of the dome of Hagia Sophia collapsed.In fact, from the Latin invasion to the conquest of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia experienced its darkest age. Hagia Sophia, which was destroyed twice and built for the third time, destroyed due to wars and rebellions for centuries, and certain parts collapsed due to neglect and architectural errors, continued its existence under the constant danger of destruction until the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han. In addition, the sociological and symbolic meaning of the temple was damaged due to the Catholic-Orthodox sectarian strife.

# data[].attributes.subject
Second Hagia Sophia, Emperor II. It was built by Theodosius on the first one and opened for worship in 415. This structure, which was also built in the form of a basilica and with a wooden roof, was destroyed by the rebels in the Nika Revolt against Emperor Justinian in 532.Emperor Justinian decided to have a Hagia Sophia built, much larger and more magnificent than the first two, right after the rebellion. The Third Hagia Sophia was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 532-537.Hagia Sophia, which was used as the Imperial Church of Eastern Rome, has been frequently destroyed by rebellions, wars and natural disasters throughout history. Hagia Sophia suffered one of the greatest destructions when the city was invaded during the 4th Crusade in 1204. The Crusaders looted Hagia Sophia along with the entire city. During the Latin occupation in Istanbul from 1204 to 1261, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a cathedral affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.Having suffered serious damage, Hagia Sophia was tried to be kept alive with repairs after the East Roman administration was restored in Istanbul. However, the repairs were insufficient and in 1346 the eastern arch and part of the dome of Hagia Sophia collapsed.In fact, from the Latin invasion to the conquest of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia experienced its darkest age. Hagia Sophia, which was destroyed twice and built for the third time, destroyed due to wars and rebellions for centuries, and certain parts collapsed due to neglect and architectural errors, continued its existence under the constant danger of destruction until the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han. In addition, the sociological and symbolic meaning of the temple was damaged due to the Catholic-Orthodox sectarian strife.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hagia Sophia is a work that was built three times in the same place. Today's Hagia Sophia is known as the "Third Hagia Sophia". The first construction of Hagia Sophia was started during the reign of Constantine I, who accepted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. The opening of this structure, which was built as a wooden-roofed basilica on the first of Istanbul's seven hills and known as the 'Great Church' at that time, was inaugurated in 360 by II. It took place during the reign of Constantine. There is no remnant of this building, which was largely destroyed as a result of a fire that broke out in the rebellion that started in 404.

# data[].attributes.subject
Hagia Sophia is a work that was built three times in the same place. Today's Hagia Sophia is known as the "Third Hagia Sophia". The first construction of Hagia Sophia was started during the reign of Constantine I, who accepted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. The opening of this structure, which was built as a wooden-roofed basilica on the first of Istanbul's seven hills and known as the 'Great Church' at that time, was inaugurated in 360 by II. It took place during the reign of Constantine. There is no remnant of this building, which was largely destroyed as a result of a fire that broke out in the rebellion that started in 404.