Question

What did the transformation of the most notable cathedral within the Ottoman Empire involve?

A) It was converted into a mosque; its interior was redesigned with Islamic features.
B) It was preserved as a Christian church; no significant changes were made.
C) It was transformed into a marketplace; it lost its religious significance.
D) It was turned into a government building; its facade was altered.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option A) It was converted into a mosque; its interior was redesigned with Islamic features.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most notable cathedral within the Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sophia, underwent a significant transformation. In 1453, after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed II, the cathedral was converted into a mosque. This conversion involved the addition of minarets for the Muslim call to prayer, and the introduction of Islamic features, such as Arabic writing, within the interior space.

The iconic Christian features of the cathedral, like frescoes and mosaics, were plastered over or removed to align with Islamic beliefs that prohibit the depiction of animate beings in religious spaces. This act of transformation was significant both politically and theologically, as it signaled the dominance of Islam in what was once the heart of the Byzantine Empire.