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Omphalos

One of the most intriguing features of St. Sophia is a marble section of the floor known as the Omphalos. The Omphalos is located in the south-east quarter of the main square beneath the dome, exactly in the middle of the square. Each side measures 5.65 meters (18.5 feet). Within the square lay 30 circles of various sizes. There is one large circle in the middle; 4 circles of equal size at each corner; 2 smaller circles of similar size occupy the space between each corner circle; 16 smaller circles in-between these. The 3 remaining circles are on the south end and are linked to the 4 larger circles on that end. The most striking feature of the Omphalos is the brilliant marble, with a myriad of types and colors mixed in. Marble was the material of choice for Imperial churches. Strangely, it was believed to be created by earthy matter freezing in water that had sunk into the Earth's crust. The design is unusual and has been interpreted in many ways over the years. Even the function is questionable. Historically, it was thought to mark the spot where Byzantine emperors were crowned during the coronation ceremony. This view has been challenged over the years because of the dearth of textual reference from writers and travelers in the Byzantine Era. St. Sophia herself has been altered many times since the sixth-century that the Omphalion disappears and re-appears sporadically in textual evidence that does exist. The design is unique to St. Sophia, with little in the way of direct comparisons. There are two examples from the 11th and 12th centuries, Nea Moni and Hosios Lukas. The comparison is difficult considering the 500 year difference.