What World Heritage Site’s name translates to “holy wisdom”?
Taj Mahal
Masada
Hagia Sophia
Machu Picchu
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia has served several roles over its nearly 1,500-year lifespan. It was constructed as a cathedral in the 6th century A.D. in what was then called Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It became a mosque in 1453, when the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottoman Empire, then became a museum in 1934 when the government of Turkey secularized the structure. It is now a mosque once again.
The building is known for its giant nave and vast dome ceiling — an impressive feat of construction, especially considering the Hagia Sophia was built in less than six years. The site has gone by many names over the years, and “Hagia Sophia” — which means “Holy Wisdom” in Greek — didn’t pop up until about 430 A.D.
Answer: The correct answer is Hagia Sophia