Hagia Sophia's Architecture: The Eternal Dome: Architecture, History, and Sacred Resilience

For over 1,500 years, the Hagia Sophia has stood as one of humanity's most extraordinary architectural achievements. Rising above Istanbul with its majestic dome and intricate layers of Christian and Islamic artistry, it embodies both the genius of its creators and the resilience of its structure.

In Hagia Sophia's Architecture: The Eternal Dome, award-winning architect and author Riley Carter takes readers on an unparalleled journey into the building's design, history, and enduring spiritual power - showing why it remains relevant to architects, engineers, and cultural thinkers today.

How Justinian's vision and the ingenuity of mathematician-architects created the revolutionary pendentive dome.
The materials and techniques - lightweight bricks, pozzolanic mortar, iron chains - that enabled the building to survive centuries of earthquakes.
How Ottoman master Mimar Sinan strengthened the structure with buttresses and seismic innovations.
The acoustic and luminous qualities that have enchanted worshippers, pilgrims, and visitors for generations.

Through clear explanations and stunning insights, Carter reveals how Hagia Sophia's form and meaning evolved - yet never lost its ability to inspire.

More than a history book, this is a meditation on sacred space as a living, adaptable vessel of meaning. From cathedral to mosque, museum, and mosque again, Hagia Sophia exemplifies how architecture can absorb layers of faith and culture without losing its soul.

This book challenges designers and readers alike to reconsider what it means to build for continuity - not just for eternity.