Justinian

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare sarcophagus, believed to belong to a Roman gladiator named Euphrates, at Ayasuluk Hill in the western province of İzmir.

The sarcophagus, dating to the 3rd century B.C., was found containing the remains of 12 individuals, buried in the 5th century AD.

Archaeological excavations at Ayasuluk Hill, the first settlement of Ephesus in the Selçuk district of İzmir, have unearthed two different floor coverings from earlier periods on the southern cross arm of the St. Jean Church.

A large number of graves have also been discovered during the excavations around the church.

In an upcoming exhibition, Istanbul's Basilica Cistern will host a collection of 22 predominantly crystal artworks by contemporary Czech sculptors Vlastimil Beránek and Jaroslav Prošek, set within its ancient, 1,500-year-old historical ambiance.

A subsidiary of the Vehbi Koç Foundation, Arter continues its multidisciplinary program comprised of exhibitions, events, learning, and publications at its building in Istanbul.

By George Gilson

When in July, 2020 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned the Hagia Sofia Museum into to a mosque, he sparked an international outcry.

Over a year later, addressing members of his AKP party in Rize, Erdogan accused the opposition of trying to keep Hagia Sophia closed.

A figure of a "Seraphim Angel" on a ceiling of the Hagia Sophia Mosque has come to light on dismantling a scaffold that was inside the mosque for about seven years.

"We have completely demounted the scaffold today," said the officials on Nov. 22.

Walking through Athens on a recent sunny summer afternoon, I encountered some children and adults hanging laundry on a makeshift clothesline in the National Garden. Later I spot another refugee sleeping in the shade of a 3-foot shrub on the sidewalk near the University of Athens. 

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday visited the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will on Wednesday visit the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

The visit, which takes place on the second day of Tsipras's trip to Turkey, is scheduled to take place at 9.15 a.m.

Built in the 6th century under order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia - a UNESCO world heritage site - was once Christendom's greatest cathedral.

More than 2,500 Muslims prayed at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul early Saturday morning.

According to reports, the worshippers gathered at the monument - a UNESCO world heritage site and now officially a museum - at 4 a.m.