Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Istanbul's most famous attraction
- One of the world's architectural wonders
Time required: 90 minutes
Phone: +90 212 522 1750
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Tue - Sun: | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Mondays: | Closed |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| General: | 20 TL |
Public transport:
- Tram Line T1: Sultanahmet stop
Address: Cankurtaran Mh., 34122 Istanbul
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: PromptGuides.com
Things you need to know:
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is an awe-inspiring architecture in Istanbul. First it was built as an Orthodox cathedral, later became a mosque, today it is a museum
- It incorporated unique elements of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires and their religions
- Hagia Sophia was constructed between 532 and 537. It was the largest cathedral of its time
- Hagia Sophia was the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople (the "Orthodox Vatican") for almost a thousand years
- After 1453; Sultan Mehmed II converted the church into a mosque. Islamic elements (mihrab, minbar, four minarets) replaced Christian features (altar, bells, iconostasis)
- Hagia Sophia remained a mosque until 1931 when it was turned into a museum. Debates are still going on whether it should be a church, a mosque or a museum
- Having been the principal mosque of Istanbul, many Ottoman mosques, such as the Blue Mosque or the Süleymaniye Mosque, were modeled after Hagia Sophia
- Its name has nothing to do with the female name, Sophia. Sophia is the Latin phonetic spelling of the Greek word for wisdom
What to do there:
- Admire the impressive building from the outside
- Walk around in the former church and enjoy the stunning architecture
- Head up the stairs to the upper gallery for the splendid Byzantine mosaics
Tips & Insights:
- Go early to avoid the crowds
