Agia Sophia Church, Thessaloniki
The Agia Sophia (also spelled Hagia Sophia or Ayia Sofia) is the largest and most famous Byzantine church in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The 8th-century Agia Sophia was named after, and inspired by, the emperor Justinian's famous 6th-century Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (modern Istanbul). Like the original, Thessaloniki's Agia Sophia has a gigantic dome that is a feat of technical accomplishment.
The Agia Sophia was converted into a mosque by the Turks in the 15th century, and in 1913 it was transformed into a Christian church again.
The church was heavily restored in the 20th century and accordingly lacks the pleasantly dusty ambience and "odor of sanctity" of Thessaloniki's less restored churches. But the historical and artistic importance of this ancient sacred site still make it well worth a visit.
Thankfully, some of Agia Sophia's original mosaics have survived its turbulent history. The Analipsis (Ascension), with an oddly foreshortened Christ (supported by young angels) is considered the most important monumental fresco of the 9th century. The mosaic of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus is also especially fine.
If you look carefully at the mosaics, you'll notice that some have only crosses and stars and no human representations. These date from the 8th-century Iconoclastic period, when there was a ban on showing the human figure in religious art. The iconoclasts destroyed many earlier works of art, including many sacred icons. Recently, many books and ancient scripts along with paintings from the 9th century were found in a storeroom of the church.
Agia Sophia Square is one of Thessaloniki's nicest, and most important, squares – this is where the service of thanksgiving was held when the city was liberated from the Germans on November 2, 1944. Today, much of Thessaloniki heads here for Easter and other important services.
Across the way at 33 Agias Sophias is the Terkenlis and Byzantium pastry shop, an excellent spot to rest and refresh after seeing the church.
Quick Facts
| Location: | Agia Sophia Square, between Tsimiski and Egnatia, Thessaloniki, Greece |
| Phone: | 2310/270-253 |
| Hours: | Daily 8am-9pm (but often closed about 1-5pm) |
