Even though 571 years have passed since Constantinople fell to the Ottoman army, much of the glorious Byzantine Empire can still be seen today, preserved in scattered buildings, ruins and architectural details throughout Istanbul.
CHURCH OF SAINTS SERGIUS AND BACCHUS
Little Hagia Sophia was originally the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus. Built in 536 during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great, it may be one of the oldest surviving Byzantine structures in modern-day Istanbul. Hagia Sophia and Hagia Eirene were constructed at the same time, a testament to the power, wealth and ambition of the Empire reflected in these monumental religious spaces.
The church was dedicated to Roman soldiers Sergius and Bacchus. They were executed around 300 during the reign of Emperor Maximian because of their Christian faith.
For nearly 1500 years, the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus served as a Christian Orthodox temple. It hosted religious ceremonies and endured political upheavals, until its conversion into a mosque.
LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA
The church took the name Little Hagia Sophia in 1513. In Turkish, they call it Küçük Ayasofya Camii, which, despite the name, is the only major association with the Great Hagia Sophia.
Thus, it continued functioning as a Christian Orthodox church for 60 years after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, quietly surviving the city’s transition to Ottoman rule.
The Chief Black Eunuch at the Topkapi Palace, Hüseyin Ağa, transformed the church into a mosque.
The position of the Chief Black Eunuch, Kızlar Ağa in Turkish, ranked third in the Ottoman hierarchy after the Sultan and Grand Vizier. He supervised the imperial harem and served as a powerful intermediary between the Sultan and the Grand Vizier or Valide Sultan.
This context explains why the Chief Black Eunuch presided over the conversion of the Christian church into an Islamic mosque. He possessed both the authority and the financial capacity to oversee such a significant transformation.
Little Hagia Sophia is a beautiful mosque. But that means that, apart from the architectural structure itself, nothing remains from the Byzantine interior. No frescoes, mosaics or richly decorated floor that once adorned the church.
ENDANGERED LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA
Furthermore, the mosque is listed on the World Monuments Watch List of endangered monuments due to concerns over its diminishing structural integrity. They constructed a road and railway immediately behind the mosque. In the process, they destroyed part of the original complex. Apparently, each passing tram causes vibrations that weaken the building, raising fears about its long term preservation.
Ironically, in any other city this nearly 1500 years old structure would be a prime treasure and one of the most significant tourist attractions. In Istanbul, however, it is overshadowed by the overwhelming wealth of both Byzantine and Ottoman heritage that surrounds it.
Nevertheless, this does not diminish its value and importance for world heritage. So, if you travel to Istanbul, make an effort to visit Little Hagia Sophia. You will be amazed by its quiet beauty and profound history.
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