KUTSALDAN SİYASALA AYASOFYA’NIN MEKÂNSAL HAFIZASI
FROM THE SACRED TO THE POLITICAL THE SPATIAL MEMORY OF HAGIA SOPHIA

Summary/Abstract: Hagia Sophia, as one of the most distinguished elements of both Istanbul’s and the world’s cultural heritage, has historically functioned as a crossroads of diverse civilizations and traditions. The fact that Istanbul served as the capital of various states across different periods, along with Hagia Sophia’s central position, transformed the monument from being merely an architectural structure into a domain of religious and political signification. From the Pagan belief systems to Christianity and Islam, Hagia Sophia witnessed profound ideological and cultural transformations, extending from the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman State and later to the Republic of Turkey. Initially constructed as a church, it was converted into a mosque following the conquest, reclassified as a museum during the Republican era, and reopened for worship as a mosque in 2020. This historical trajectory demonstrates that Hagia Sophia has never been solely a sacred place of worship but has also operated as a political arena where states projected their legitimacy and power. Each era redefined Hagia Sophia with its own ideological layers, thereby ensuring its continuity as both a sacred and political center. Within the framework of Mircea Eliade’s theories of sacred space, the sanctity of Hagia Sophia derives not only from its material presence but also from the symbolic roles it has assumed throughout history. Thus, the monument has been continuously reinterpreted through diverse ideological and cultural codes, embedding itself deeply in collective memory as a powerful symbol. In conclusion, Hagia Sophia endures as a site that simultaneously embodies sacredness and political representation, preserving its identity as a cultural heritage monument enriched by the legacies of multiple civilizations.

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