Welcome to Echoes of History, the place to explore the rich stories from the past
that bring the world of Assassin’s Creed to life.
I’m Matt Lewis.
Today we’re exploring a landmark that stood for 1,500 years
and that players can clamber all over in Assassin’s Creed Revelations: the Hagia Sophia.
The Hagia Sophia holds a unique position in history, not just for its longevity,
but also for its blending of East and West.
Its walls and ceilings bear the marks of multiple cultures, their art, architecture, languages, and faiths.
It is as much a melting pot as the metropolis that surrounds it.
To help me unpick the complex threads of the Hagia Sophia’s history,
I’m joined by Emily Neumeier, Assistant Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture at Temple University.
She recently edited the biography of the building titled Hagia Sophia in the Long 19th Century.
The skyline of Constantinople is a detailed panorama of slanted roofs, domes, and spires.
In the early morning light, it's dominated by the silhouette of a large hill on the eastern shore.
Except, that isn’t a natural feature.
The crest of the hill is really an enormous man-made dome,
and those smaller hillocks around it are yet more domes.
What you thought were trees are really great towers.
From its minarets, the call to prayer is cast out and falls upon the city like a fisherman’s net.
Similar to most Western visitors to this city, you don’t share the Muslim faith.