Latest / The Story of Turkey: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire to Today — Fexingo History
The Sultan Who Saved Byzantine Art in Istanbul
When Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, the world expected a purge. Instead, he made a radical choice: preserving the Hagia Sophia not as a ruin, but as a living mosque, and commissioning its own master builder to reshape the city’s skyline. This episode explores how Sultan Mehmed II navigated the delicate balance between conquest and continuity, turning former enemies into architects of his new capital. We dive into the story of Mimar Sinan’s mentor, Atik Sinan, and the complex political maneuvering that allowed Greek Orthodox traditions to survive under Islamic rule. From the…
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