Hagia Sophia
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Hagia Sophia - by Adli Wahid on Unsplash
Description
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is one of the most visited and iconic monuments in Istanbul. It was built in 532-537 under the eastern Roman emperor Justinian I as the Christian cathedral of Constantinople. It was, at the time, the high point of Byzantine architecture, employing a fully pendentive dome (triangular segments of a sphere permitting the placing of a circular dome over a square room) and was the world's largest cathedral for 10 centuries (until Seville Cathedral was built in 1520). The building was converted to a mosque after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 - the minarets were built afterwards - but turned into a museum in 1935 until its recent (controversial) reclassification as a mosque in 2020. The main decorative element were mosaics but those were either stolen during the crusades (1204) or covered with plaster as Islam doesn't authorize representational imagery. Many were uncovered and restored during the 20th century though.
Access & Transport
Hagia Sophia is located between Topkapi Palace and Sultanhamet Square, walking distance from many historical attractions. The Sultanhamet tram station (T1) is 250m away and Gülhane station 500m. Disabled access is provided with ramps. The entrance is at the west corner.
Instructions & Recommendations
All visitors, Muslims and non-Muslims are allowed to enter Hagia Sophia Mosque. Visitors should remove their shoes before stepping onto the mosque's carpets. Avoid visiting Hagia Sophia Mosque at prayer times (five times a day), especially noon praying on Fridays. Women should wear a head covering when entering the building. Headscarves are available at the entrance without a fee. Photography is allowed, however do not take pictures of people who are in the mosque to pray. Prayer times: https://namazvakitleri.diyanet.gov.tr/en-US/9541/prayer-time-for-istanbul
Environmental & Social
No environmental impact and helps preserve the city's architectural and historical heritages
Conclusion
The Hagia Sophia is one of those few historical monuments that seem to encapsulate a city's long, rich and often complex history; it is an invitation to learn about the flow of civilizations and Byzantium. The building is also visually stunning and extremely atmospheric with its massive indoor space, impressive dome and columns. We don't often use the "must see" qualifier, but here it applies without a doubt. That being said, the whole experience has changed in 2024: expensive and no access to the ground floor so we are therefore much more reserved. What a shame.
Key positive
Spectacular architecture
Interesting history
Centrally located and free entrance
Key negative
Can be very busy with tourists and worshippers
Expensive admission fee
Suitability
No religious denomination restriction but it is important to dress properly and avoid prayer times. The west entrance has wheelchair accessible ramps.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Monday09:00 - 19:30
Tuesday09:00 - 19:30
Wednesday09:00 - 19:30
Thursday09:00 - 19:30
Friday09:30 - 19:30
Saturday09:00 - 19:30
Sunday09:00 - 19:30