Church of Saint Sophia

Almost untouched in time, the Church of Aghia Sophia, dedicated to Christ, the true Word and Wisdom of God, Aghia Sophia is for centuries spiritual beacon for Thessaloniki. It was built in the late 7th century and is a typical sample of transitional cruciform church with a dome and an ambulatory, in imitation of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The beautiful mosaics, the 11th century wall paintings and its sculptural decoration are considered masterpieces of religious art. During the Latin occupation in Thessaloniki (1204-1224) the church became a cathedral of the Latins and after the restoration of Byzantine domination of the city formed again the Orthodox Bishop of Thessaloniki until 1523/24, when it was converted into mosque by Maktoul Ibrahim Pasha.