Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, TR

Known as "Megale Ekklesia", the Great Church during the first construction of the monument. 

Now, Hagia Sophia, Santa Sophia, Ayasofia, the "Holy Wisdom".

Constructed during the reign of Byzantine Emperor, Constantine the Great in the year AD360, The first building was a wooden basilica. The church has been reconstructed several times.  In AD537 a major reconstruction of the basilica after it was completely burnt on the second riot.   

The fall of Constantinople, now Istanbul in to the hands of Ottoman Empire during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II in AD1453.  Hagia Sophia was then converted to a mosque.

The building has been transformed into a Museam in 1934, opened for public in 1935.

Aside from the political conquest of Hagia Sophia, there was a heaven and earth story behind this.

During the Byzantine Empire in AD1522, Justinian 40, (who became the most powerful Emperor in Byzantine Empire) the nephew of Emperor Justin, the most learned man. Theodora after her religious awakening from Alexandria she returned to former life as an actress.  Justinian met Theodora in one of networking ties and fell inlove with her.  Theodora is beautiful, intelligent and confident in her 20's.  Theodora accepted to be his mistress.  Theodora moved to the palace along the Sea of Marmara.  It was shocking to many who knows Theodora's past.  Justinian did all he could to make her happy, showered gifts and secured financially. 

He asked his uncle, Emperor Justin to make her a patrician (aristocrat), raising peoples respect to her.

During that time, there was a law that forbid the upper class to marry a courtesan, and his aunt is against of her.  Not so long ago his aunt died and his uncle changed the law which gives way to their marriage.  However, they had to pass and respect the period of mourning for the departed empress.

Justinian and Theodora held their marriage at Hagia Sophia in AD525.  Two years later Justinian's uncle dies and the couple became the new Emperor and Empress.  Several buildings including Hagia Sophia burnt by rioters.  The couple supervise it's replacement into most impressive one. 

Lovely!  Heaven and Earth.

Is there still like Justinian exists?