Trebizond [modern Trabzon]: Ayia Sophia [Ayasofya mosque], west porch
| Department | Archive |
|---|---|
| Collection | BSA SPHS Image Collection |
| Reference No. | BSA SPHS 01/1084.2902 |
| Level | Item |
| Description | Film negative, quarter plate size, an original negative. |
| Dimensions | 11 x 8 cm |
| Place |
Hagia Sophia Trebizond Trabzon East Black Sea Region |
| Dates | 1908 |
| Donor/Creator |
Hasluck, Dr Frederick William |
| Project | Hasluck Asia Minor Travels |
| Scope and Content | Part of a collection of Hasluck's travels to Pontus in 1908. The original description in the SPHS register reads: "Trebizond: S. Sophia, west porch". |
| Notes | Dates to Hasluck's travels in the Pontus in 1908 ('Annual Meeting of Subscribers' 1907/1908. Annual of the British School at Athens 14:424). The 13th century church of Agia Sofia became the mosque of Ayasofya in 1584, and now functions as a museum. |
| Further information | Trebizond is the greatest city of Pontos, the coastal region at the south shore of the Black Sea. The city, important ecclesiastical centre from the 3rd c. already, was rebuilt by Justinian -the emperor restored the fortification system of the city and added an aqueduct to it- and flourished, after a brief period under Turkish occupation starting in 1071, between 1204 and 1461 as the capital of the empire it arose after the Latin conquest of Constantinople. During the period Trebizond prospered as a key sea-port on the route to Anatolia witnessing a flurry of artistic activity. Hagia Sophia is a cross-in-square church with three apses (the central one pentagonal on the exterior), narthex and three porches standing on a platform with eighteen tomb-niches on the walls. A smaller church, a tower and remains of what seems to be monastic buildings stand at a close distance to the main church. A graffito in the main church dating in 1291 identifies Manuel Grand Komnenos (1238-1263) with the emperor who was named in an inscription as the founder of the monastic complex. The interior of the building is covered with an extensive fresco cycle with particularly strong eschatological connotations. |
| Related records |
[BRF/02/02/04/004], Hagia Sophia, before 1913
|
| Reference |
1909 JHS 29: 5th accession to 1904 slide catalogue. lxxix.SPHS 2902. Link to article 1913 JHS 33: Catalogue of Slides. 21.SPHS 2902. Link to article 1913 JHS 33: Catalogue of Slides. 72.SPHS 2902. Link to article |