Architecture

Constantinople was protected by the Theodosian Walls, some of the strongest defenses ever built. The city had three layers of walls with towers and deep moats in front. Enemies had to fight through wall after wall to reach the city. Because of these defenses, Constantinople stayed safe for hundreds of years, even when other cities fell.

One of the greatest Byzantine buildings was the Hagia Sophia. It was built as a Christian church and had an enormous roof called a dome. The dome was so large that people said it looked like it was floating in the air.

Inside, the church was covered in gold mosaics and beautiful art. Hagia Sophia showed the wealth, faith, and engineering skill of the Byzantines.