Basilica and Two Medusa Heads
According to rumors, pagan beliefs were very common in the 6th century with the early Christian period. People who believe in paganism express the fact that one of Medusa's heads is turned upside down as follows:
According to Justinian I, paganism is a phenomenon far from reality. A Medusa head is inverted. Because he asks the pagans living at that time: “I built the head of your god, which you believe will protect the whole city from evil eyes and earthquakes, with its head turned upside down; But your god didn't even give me a reaction.”
For Justinian, this type of orientation was the idea of spreading Christianity and criticizing Paganism after the construction of Hagia Sophia. But to explain it scientifically, the real reason why one of the Medusas is upside down is to strengthen the main column. After all, in the 6th century, no one could swim in a hundred-thousand water tank.
Crying Columns
While normally we should see three crying columns, there are currently two of them in the Basilica. If we look at the story of the crying columns, it is about the beginning of Justinian's water tank, which will be built as the largest and fastest in the city. According to the sources we obtained in the 6th century, the construction of the Basilica was undertaken by approximately ten thousand people.
Corinthian and Doric marbles transported from various temples reached Constantinople in one piece. While ten thousand people were trying to support these columns and make them vertical, approximately seven thousand people were crushed to death. Justinian built the crying columns in memory of these people who were crushed to death under him. You can see two crying columns now. The tear symbols you see on the main body of the crying columns symbolize seven thousand people. The only remaining crying column is under restoration in the Archaeological Museum.
Coin Activity
When you visit the Basilica today, it is not correct to say that the water inside dates back to the 6th century. As a result of various restorations, the Republic of Turkey has set a certain level of water as decoration. However, when you look carefully at the water, it is possible to see iron coins. Again, according to pagan belief, when you close your eyes and make a wish, and then throw the coin into the water after making your wish, your dream will come true.