Part 4/11:
Bilge Ar, a professor of architecture, notes that the exterior of the Hagia Sophia reflects a complex history in which generations of builders made modifications, signaling a long and layered life. Intriguingly, the current Hagia Sophia is the third iteration to bear the name; previous structures were lost to fire. The first Hagia Sophia was entirely consumed by flames, followed by a second that suffered a similar fate in the 5th century.