The name of Hagia Sophia, a monastery church built between 1250 and 1260 by King I. Manuel (1238-1263) of the Kommenos family who escaped after the occupation of Istanbul by the Latins and founded a new state in Trabzon in 1204 means "Sacred Wisdom" . One of the most beautiful examples of Late Byzantine Churches, the structure is square-cross planned and has a high dome. There are three arches with portico in the north, west and south. The building is covered with different vaults on the main dome and is covered with piers by giving different elevators to the roof.
Haghia Sophia, an important church until the conquest of the region in 1461 by the Ottomans, continued its activities after this date. However, in view of the need in 1670 it was converted to a glass and restored in 1864.
Hagia Sophia, occupied by Russians in World War I, was used as a mosque after military headquarters, hospital, warehouse and war. It was restored in collaboration with the General Directorate of the University of Edinburgh and Foundations between 1958 and 1962 and turned into a museum in 1964.
