Final answer:
The Hagia Sophia was the Byzantine church that was converted to a mosque by the Ottomans in 1453. The architectural marvel converted from a Byzantine church to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 is Hagia Sophia. Correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The architectural marvel that was converted from a Byzantine church to a mosque after the Ottoman Empire took over Constantinople in 1453 is the Hagia Sophia.
Sultan Mehmed II recognized the beauty of the church and saved it from destruction. Minarets were added to the building and Arabic inscriptions were placed alongside the Greek iconography, in alignment with Muslim traditions.
The architectural marvel converted from a Byzantine church to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 is Hagia Sophia. It was transformed by Sultan Mehmed II, and to this day, it remains a significant symbol of Istanbul's historical layers and influences.
The Conversion of Hagia Sophia
In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople and one of the most significant acts following the conquest was the conversion of the architectural marvel, Hagia Sophia, from a Byzantine church to a mosque. This act was carried out by Sultan Mehmed II, who added minarets to the building and decorated it with Arabic writing, blending it with the existing Greek iconography. Hagia Sophia, originally built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, was a symbol of the city's importance as a religious and political center of the Byzantine Empire.
The conversion is a part of the city's history that reflects the transitions and continuities in sacred spaces. It also signifies the onset of a new era wherein Istanbul became the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and this event had reverberating effects across Europe, influencing trade routes and contributing to the rise of the Renaissance.
Today, Hagia Sophia stands as a museum and a testament to the city's rich history, encompassing both its Byzantine and Ottoman past.