What sets the water tank beneath the Hagia Sophia apart from others of the era is a unique, mysterious feature - two ancient heads of Medusa serving as column bases. Medusa, the mythical creature with snakes for hair, whose gaze could petrify, is an icon from Greek mythology which has fuelled abundant speculation about her placement in a Byzantine cathedral.
The Medusa heads are ingeniously positioned: one placed sideways, the other inverted. This deliberate misalignment has sparked debates among historians. Some argue it was a strategic measure to counteract the 'evil gaze' of Medusa. Others speculate it was a symbolic move by the Byzantine architects, asserting Christianity's dominance over pagan beliefs.
Though the source or the original purpose of the Medusa heads remains shrouded with mystery, their presence tangibly enhances the allure of the hidden water tank, generating intrigue and speculation over centuries.
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