Hagia Sophia Church The Hagia Sophia Church, also referred to as the Church of the Holy Wisdom, is situated in the center of Trabzon and is recognized as a prominent example of late Byzantine architecture, making it a must-see site for tourists. Constructed during the 1250s-1260s, toward the end of Emperor Manuel I's rule (1231-1263) over the Empire of Trebizond, the building was later transformed into a mosque after Mehmet II (1451-1561) captured Trabzon in 1461. Following Islamic traditions that forbid depictions of "idols" in places of worship, the original frescoes were covered with whitewash. Between 1958 and 1964, teams from Edinburgh University collaborated with the Turkish Directorate of Foundations to uncover, restore, and preserve the vibrant frescoes of the Hagia Sophia. In 1964, the site was inaugurated as a museum and has since attracted numerous visitors. The narthex, an area adorned with frescoes and situated outside the main worship space, is now included within the museum grounds. The church spans 22 meters in length, 11.6 meters in width, and reaches a height of 12.7 meters. Its walls are embellished with late 13th-century frescoes illustrating scenes from the New Testament. The exterior stone carvings, featuring figurative reliefs and ornamental designs, reflect the artistic traditions of the nearby regions of Armenia and Georgia. A 40-meter tall bell tower, located 24 meters west of the church, contains a small chapel on its second floor. This bell tower’s interior is decorated with frescoes and historically functioned as an observatory for local astronomers. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Hagia Sophia Church, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on Whatsapp, and we will reply promptly.