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Glite Dictionary
Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

7.5
A large old building in Istanbul that was a church, then a mosque, and now a museum
  • proper noun
  • /ˈhɑːɡiə soʊˈfiə/
translation icon : Santa Sofía
  • As a former cathedral, mosque, and now a museum, the Hagia Sophia represents centuries of cultural transformation.

Examples

  • The mosaics inside the Hagia Sophia are celebrated masterpieces of Byzantine art.

  • When traveling to Istanbul, many tourists put the Hagia Sophia at the top of their itinerary.

  • The Hagia Sophia attracts millions of visitors each year due to its architectural beauty and storied history.

  • The Hagia Sophia is an architectural marvel.

  • Did you visit the Hagia Sophia during your trip?

  • The Hagia Sophia is known for its stunning dome and rich history, drawing visitors from around the world.

  • Many people visit the Hagia Sophia to admire its impressive mosaics and architectural features.

Synonyms

Hagia Sofia
vsHagia Sophia
6.7

A 6th-century building in Istanbul first used as a church and later as a mosque and a museum

is the more common ph spelling in English usage
Santa Sophia
vsHagia Sophia
7.2

A large historic building in Istanbul that was a church, then a mosque, and now a museum

is the historic title form rather than a saintly honorific
Santa Sofia
vsHagia Sophia
6.3

A large old building in Istanbul that was a church, later a mosque, and now a museum

is the standard English written form without the alternate honorific or f spelling

Surface Forms

Hagia Sophia main

Morphology

Hagia + Sophia

The phrase literally derives from Greek hagia 'holy' + sophia 'wisdom', so a learner who knows those constituents could infer a religious or sacred notion ('holy wisdom') and suspect it labels something religious. However, as a proper name for a specific historic building in Istanbul (with particular historical and architectural senses) the full referent and its cultural/historical details are not predictable from the parts alone, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Hagia Sophia comes from old Greek words: Hagia means 'holy' and Sophia means 'wisdom'. The building was named for 'holy wisdom' rather than a person, so the name points to its role as a great holy place.