Final answer:
Option (2), The Hagia Sophia in Constantinople features a massive central dome supported by pendentives and a hybrid basilica plan. Originally a Christian basilica without minarets, it was later converted into a mosque where minarets were added for the call to prayer, and now it serves as a mosque again.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, now Istanbul, is a significant architectural marvel with a rich history. Initially, it did not have minarets because it was intended as a Christian basilica before it was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed II after the Ottoman conquest in 1453. During this conversion, minarets were added for the Muslim call to prayer. Characteristically, the Hagia Sophia has a large central dome supported by pendentives, indicative of Byzantine architecture.
The structure also features a hybrid plan that combines a longitudinal basilica with a centralized building, having a massive square nave topped by a dome, as well as two half-domes that extend the space. The use of pendentives allowed the builders to place a circular dome over a square room, an engineering marvel at the time. The interior walls were lined with marble and other precious materials sourced from various ancient cities, and adorned with a total of 104 columns displaying intricate designs.
The Hagia Sophia has undergone several transformations, serving as a Greek Orthodox church, a mosque, and a museum over the centuries. Its current status since 2020 is as a mosque. The history of the building is evidenced by the combination of Christian iconography and Islamic features, including Arabic inscriptions added beside ancient Greek mosaics.