Sainte Sophie

Sainte Sophie (FR) spelling of Saint Sophia, Hagia Sophia, or Aya Sofia (Holy Wisdom), the ornate, domed Byzantine Christian church in Constantinople (today known as Istanbul), built by Justinian (483 – 565). Its dome spanned the largest square basilica ever made, an engineering challenge that was Byzantium's contribution to Western architecture. The church was dedicated in the year 537. The church was served by over 600 clergy each day, and was illuminated at night by thousands of lanterns in…