One of the great wonders of the known world the patriarchal basilica of the Holy Wisdom of God is the largest cathedral in the known world at this time. It has stood since the 6th century when Emperor Justinian I first ordered its construction and is the center of the Orthodox religion, holding many holy relics.
Having such a wonderous building as the center of worship makes the people of the city proud and content.
聖索非亞大教堂的特別之處在於平面採用了希臘式十字架的造型,在空間上,則創造了巨型的圓頂,而且在室內沒有用到柱子來支撐。更仔細的說,君士坦丁大帝請來的數學工程師們發明出以拱門、扶壁、小圓頂等設計來支撐和分擔穹隆重量的建築方式,以便在窗間壁上安置又高又圓的圓頂,讓人仰望天界的美好與神聖。由於地震和叛亂的燒燬,聖索非亞大教堂經歷過數次重修,尤其查士丁尼大帝投入一萬名工人、三十二萬黃金、並花費六年光陰將聖索非亞大教堂裝飾得更為精巧華美。神聖的教堂是當時的城市中心,而統治者對教堂所投注的心力不難看出統治者藉由對宗教的奉獻、誇示帝國的權力與財富,而對周遭地區施與影響力的用心。 |