Hagia Sophia
An architectural miracle that has witnessed a thousand years of changing civilisations, where East and West meet.
Overview
Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of architecture, its dome 30.8 metres across and 55.6 metres high holding the world record for nearly a thousand years. The interior is magnificent, with golden mosaics and Islamic calligraphy coexisting in harmony, telling the remarkable story of a building that has been a Christian cathedral, a mosque and a museum. It now serves as a mosque again, but non-Muslim visitors may still enter.
History
Hagia Sophia was first built between AD 532 and 537 as a Greek Orthodox cathedral by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, and is regarded as the peak of Byzantine architecture. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 it was converted into a mosque. In 1934 Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, turned it into a museum. In 2020 it was restored to use as a mosque.
Highlights
- •The peerless Byzantine mosaics of the dome
- •The minarets and dome forming the most beautiful skyline in Istanbul
- •The Blue Mosque next door, visitable the same day
- •The Bosphorus, the dividing line between Europe and Asia
Practical tips
- •Women should bring a headscarf and shoes are removed before entering
- •Closed to visitors during the five daily prayer times
- •The nearby Grand Bazaar is good for shopping and market culture
- •Learn the etiquette of a mosque and respect worship
Practical information
- Best time
- April to June, September to November
- Tickets
- Free since its return to use as a mosque; nearby museums charge separately
- Opening hours
- 9:00 to 17:00, closed during prayer
- Local food
- Kebabs, Turkish delight and tea
- Getting around
- Metro and tram cover the main sights, and ferries cross the Bosphorus
- Visa
- An e-visa is required and can be applied for online. Holders of a valid Schengen or US visa face simpler requirements.
Traveller reviews
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