A masterpiece of Roman engineering, the basilica was built in the sixth century for the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian I. It overlooks the historical peninsula with its huge dome, of 30m in diameter and was the largest enclosed space in the world for over 1000 years. It started to serve as a mosque after the Ottoman army conquered the city under the command of Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror. Since 1935, it has served as a museum which is living proof that Istanbul has hosted many civilizations throughout the course of history. It’s impossible to leave this place without admiring the perfect combination of artistry and architecture of the Ottoman and East Roman Empires.