Megalo Ekklesia - The Great Church

Romantic refiguration of Megalo Ekklesia

• 360 - First built by emperor Theodosios (379-395)
• 404 - Burned to the ground
• 415 - Rebuilt by emperor Theodosios II (408-450)
• 532 - Razed again by fire during the Nika revolt
• 537 - Rebuilt by emperor Justinian (527-565)
• 557 - Collapse of dome and construction of new dome
• 867 - Dedication of Virgin Mary Mosaic in the apse
• 1054 - Excommunication of Patriarch of Constantinople at main altar by Pope Leo IX
• 1203 - Vandalized and looted by crusaders of 4th Crusade
• 1344 - Major earthquake, followed by partial collapse of dome
• 1453 - Repairs and conversion into Mosque by Sultan Mehmed II
• 1934 - Converted into museum by order of Kemal Atatürk