Hagia Sophia and Bathonea

Hagia Sophia, considered one of the greatest legacies of humanity and seen as the pearl of Istanbul, has been one of the most curious structures throughout history with its many mysteries.  The secret of the tomb in Hagia Sophia, which bears signs from the Vikings mentioned in Antiquity on its walls and was the largest temple on earth at the time it was built, has not been solved even today.


 Hagia Sophia, one of the pearls of Istanbul, which is regarded as an important turning point in the history of architecture with its features, has undergone many structural changes from the past to the present.  The structure, which was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the old city center of Istanbul between 532-537, was converted into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmet after the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottomans in 1453.  The building, which served as a museum from 1935 to 2020, gained the status of a mosque again in 2020.  The structure, which was first built with wood and then with precious stones from all over the world, has been standing in all its glory for more than 1600 years.  Although the megacity has been damaged from time to time by many earthquakes, it continues to carry the magnificence of the past to the present with the strengthening works carried out by Mimar Sinan.  The traces that make Hagia Sophia unique are waiting to be discovered by visitors on the walls of the building.


 A MESSAGE FROM THE VIKING COMMANDER TO 'GIANT CITY'


 In October 2020, the body of a person who lived in Bathonea Ancient Harbor City and died in the 10th century was encountered during the excavations carried out near Küçükçekmece Lake in Istanbul.  Tattoos symbolizing Vikings were found on this body, which was found to belong to a man in his 20s and 1.60 meters tall.  As a result of the researches, it was revealed that the Vikings migrated to Istanbul, some of them rich and some of them led a poor life.


 Hagia Sophia continues to hide all its mystery not only in its walls, but also in its upper gallery.  The mysterious tombstone in Hagia Sophia is one of the biggest mysteries in the structure.  This tomb, which was built in the name of 'Henricus Dandalo', has caused many debates over the years whether there is someone in it.

 Sharing remarkable information about this tomb, which is one of the biggest mysteries in Hagia Sophia, Prof.  Dr.  Hasan Fırat Diker said, "The tomb in question is attributed to Henricus Dandolo, the commander of the Latins who occupied Istanbul in 1204 during the 4th Crusade. There is a marble inscription on which the name 'Henricus Dandolo' is written," he said.

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