Church of Hagia Sophia, Thessaloniki (must see)

Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom". The Church of Hagia Sophia is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Thessaloniki's most striking and iconic landmarks.

A church has been located on the site since the third century. The current church was built in the seventh century and emulated Istanbul's Hagia Sophia.

The Church of Hagia Sophia features a domed Greek cross basilica floor plan and is one of the main examples of this architectural style.

The gold mosaic in the dome depicts the Ascension and is surrounded by the Twelve Apostles, Mary, and two angels.

The Hagia Sophia was converted to the cathedral of Thessaloniki in 1205 during the Fourth Crusade. From 1205 to 1224, the Hagia Sophia was used as a Catholic church.

In 1430, the Ottoman Empire captured Thessaloniki and turned the Church of Hagia Sophia into a mosque in 1524. The mosque was called Ayia Sofia. In order to complete its transformation into a mosque, workers added an arched portico, a minaret, and a tower. When Thessaloniki was liberated in 1912, the church was finally reconverted to a Christian church.

The porch and minaret were removed, but the tower's base remains.

The church was damaged in the 1917 fire and wasn't restored until 1980. The interior features beautiful mosaics and stunning frescoes. Most of the frescoes date from the 11th century.

The dome features a spectacular 9th-century mosaic that shows Christ's Ascension. Capitals on the interior columns date to the fifth century and were likely originally in the previous church. The columns have a deep relief and dramatic carvings.