Hagia Sophia

tags: History

Editor: Rasim Terzi (Tue, Aug 17, 2021 4:51 PM)

Hagia Sophia is most visited place in Istanbul. More or less three millions tourist visit this place every year.

Hagia Sophia

Unveil the Grandeur of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Discover the Intricate Beauty of Istanbul's Most Visited Site

Hagia Sophia stands as a testament to the ages, drawing in nearly three million visitors annually. As locals, we affectionately refer to the two Hagia Sophia buildings as Small and Big Hagia Sophia, and in this article, we delve into the rich history and grandeur of the larger of the two.

Hagia Sophia History

Two former churches once occupied this hallowed ground before the construction of the present-day Hagia Sophia. The initial church, built by Constantine the Great in the fourth century, fell victim to rebellion. Subsequently, a second church was erected under the orders of Roman Emperor Theodosius but succumbed to the Nika Revolt. The current Hagia Sophia, constructed by Justinian the Great, served as a church for nine centuries before the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. In 1934, it was transformed into a museum.

Hagia Sophia during the Pandemic:

Once the most visited museum, Hagia Sophia transformed into a mosque due to declining visitors and election efforts. The subsequent free entry attracted many, leading to long queues. Pandemic-related restrictions limited visitor areas and numbers, closing access to the second floor and covering some Church period mosaics. Despite these changes, the allure of Hagia Sophia endures.

Explore Hagia Sophia's Architecture:

Constructed in a mere five years by Justinian the Great in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia engaged ten thousand construction workers and a hundred masters, including architects Anthemius and Isidore. It marked the first instance of a building featuring both a dome and a rectangular plan. The construction utilized the lightest sands from Rodos Island and columns from former pagan temples, showcasing innovative architecture.

Noteworthy Sights in Hagia Sophia:

- Ruins of the Second Hagia Sophia Church
- Tomb of Roman Empress
- Beautiful Gate of Hagia Sophia
- Presentation Mosaic
- Emperor Gate
- Emperor Leon 6th Mosaic
- Place of Security Guardians
- Coronation Spot
- Minber, Mihrap, and Muezzin Lodge
- Huge Dome
- Theotokos Mosaic
- Caligraphic Circle Boards
- Sultan Lodge
- Sultan Mahmud Library
- Two Pergamon Urns
- 106 Beautiful Columns
- Ramps to the Upper Gallery
- Spot of Empress
- Hell and Heaven Door
- Deisis Mosaic
- Henrico Dandolo Tombs
- Viking Scripts
- Royal Family Donation Mosaic

HAGIA SOFIA AND ENTRANCE AND TICKETS

According to a new decision taken in 2024, non-Muslim tourists can visit the second floor of Sofia with a ticket priced at just 25 euros, while they are not allowed to visit the lower floor. Muslim tourists can enter the first floor of the Main Gallery with a 25 euro ticket or enter during prayer hours to pray.

HAGIA SOFIA OPENING HOURS

New rule: You can visit the top floor of Sofia from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except on Fridays. Entrance gates and ticket offices close at 7 p.m.
Hours on Friday
Open: 09:00-12:30

Closed: 12:30-14:00

Open: 14:00-19:30

Istanbul Guide Services

Experience Hagia Sophia's magnificence with Istanbul Guide Services, offering a diverse range of regular and private tours in Istanbul. Connect with us on [Facebook](#), [Instagram](#), [Twitter](#), and [YouTube](#) to glean more insights into Istanbul Guide Services & Daily Tours Istanbul. Feel free to [ask us](#) any questions; we're here to make your Istanbul experience unforgettable.

Tue, Aug 17, 2021 4:51 PM

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