Show main dome distinctive feature of st sophia a st sophia const anti coples marvelous mosque when it was erected by emperor justinian as a christian cathedral wars wag made in the form of 0 an immense greek cross the architect supported the th structure with a hundred columns and the its brick which formed the main building material was covered with rare marbles jab pers perg and porphyries ries of a dozen varieties and colors drawn from quarries in various parts of the empire or from the ruins ruing of demolished heathen temples but the distinctive architectural feature of the building was the main dome probably the first great aerial cupola ever erected within 20 years an earthquake destroyed a part dart of this inverted cup but justinian immediately restored it and it remains intact until now rising feet above the earth gibbon commenting on Us its lightness and durability says sayi that the frame probably Is made inada of pumice stone or of light brick from the isle of It rhodes hodes the th cathedral adornments and particularly ticul arly the mosaics of the floors and walls walla were considered marvels of art and beauty the dome presented a starry firmament armament and the walls walla were enriched with figures of christ the virgin the saints and the angels and of constantine Constant lne and justinian |