Hagia Sophia (‘Holy Wisdom’ in English a reference to the second person of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ) is one of Turkeys (and the Worlds) most iconic landmarks. It was Emperor Justinian who built it on 26 December 537.
It has been flipping back and forth between Church and Mosque for centuries;
- Built in 537 as an Eastern Orthodox Church
- 1204 to 1261, became a Roman Catholic Cathedral
- 1453, after the fall of Constantinople was converted into a mosque
- 1935, the Republic of Turkey transformed it into a museum
- 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque!
The latest conversion to a mosque was not popular but the mosque authorities proclaimed that Hagia Sophia’s unique character will continue to be protected and maintained and will remain open to all the public regardless of religious faith, as is being done with the Blue Mosque.
Hagia Sophia Floor Plan
1: Elementary School (Kuttab)
2: Fountain (Shadirvan)
3: Clock Room (Muvakkithane)
4: Director’s Office
5: The Tomb of Princes
6: The Tomb of Sultan Murad III
7: The Tomb of Sultan Selim II
8: The Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III
9: Fountain (Sebil)
10: Cistern
11: Structural Supports
12: Library
13: The Tomb of Sultan Mustafa I & Sultan Ibrahim (Former Bapistery)
14: Fountain (Sebil)
15: Mineret
16: Omphalion
17: Remnants of Theodosian Hagia Sophia
19: Islamic School (Madrasa)
19: Kitchen (Imaret)
20: Kitchen Gate (Imaret Gate)
21: Prayer Niche (Mihrab)
22: Sultans’ Loge
23: Pulpit (Minbar)
24: Pulpit (Minbar)
25: Pulpit (Minbar)
26: Marble Jars
27: Weeping Column
28: Ramp to Upper Gallery
29: Treasury Chamber
Its best to visit when very few people are around. The sounds echoing off the dome, the cool breeze on your face, quiet words of prayer, all combine with the centuries of history to make your visit something special. Having bus loads of tourists visiting during the peak hours lessens the impact of this world heritage site.
What to know before visiting ..
- 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 to the Hagia Sophia. Headscarves are available at the Hagia Sophia Mosque entrance without a fee.
- Photography is allowed, however do not take pictures of people who are in the mosque to pray.
- Stay silent during your visit, dont run and stand in front of anyone praying.
- There is no entrance fee to visit Hagia Sophia Mosque, but donations are welcome.
