Hagia Sophia - Istanbul's Ancient Mystery - prologue to NOVA program

Built in the year 537, only the pyramids surpassed it in height for nearly 1000 years. It has survived clashing empires, transforming from church to mosque to museum. But most remarkably it has withstood 1500 years of city-busting earthquakes. What is the secret to its survival. To find out a team of engineers and builders construct an 8 ton brick and mortar model, and hit it with a series of simulated earthquakes.