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Yelp Review 2025 #212: I found a Skip-the-Line ticket for Hagia Sophia through a travel website because the line to get in gets pretty crazy. I got to the line to enter by 8:45am expecting to skip the line because that's the ticket I paid for. However, I got refused entry in a very rude way. I reached out to the tour operator and no answer. I reached out to the website I got my ticket from and several frustrating messages back and forth later, I got them to issue me a refund as I stand in line to purchase a ticket. My advice after my terrible experience is just buy your ticket at ticketing booth there at 9am and as long as you're in line to enter before 9:30am, you'll still avoid the crowd especially big tour groups...or pay extra to join a tour group. The lady at the ticket booth wasn't fantastic either. She asked me what kind of ticket I want. I said whatever ticket allows me to see everything and she snarkily asked me "what's everything?" How the heck am I supposed to know details and every single part of Hagia Sophia if I've never been??? The ticket was $66. I finally got in and there were about 2 tour groups. Since I already lost at least 30 minutes if my time, I had to do a quick tour and I was done in 30 minutes. It's not as big as I thought it would be inside. Every few years they change Hagia Sophia to just a mosque to museum and a mosque so be sure you can visit before you come here. People come here to see the dome. It was just not a pleasurable experience. This was the worst experience I've had while in Türkiye.
The Hagia Sophia is such a beautiful Greek Orthodox Church turned Mosque, turned museum and then turned back into a mosque. It's interesting how the Ottomans were smart enough to not destroy buildings, but make changes to reinvent them. For example, they do not believe in idols or having paintings and frescos of their prophets or Gods, it's considered blasphemous, however, since the believe in Jesus was a prophet, they also could not cover up his or the Virgin Mary's fresco, but they did cover frescos of saints or other figures and removed crosses. The nice thing about this is by simply covering them they are being preserved so perhaps one day we will get to see them.
Hagia Sophia, the pink drama queen of architecture. Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, decided Ephesus wasn't harbor-chic enough, so in the 4th century he pointed at Istanbul, then Byzantium, and said This is it. Naturally, he built a church. Out of wood. Which, shocker, burned down in a massive fire. Fast forward to 532, second attempt: crushed. So, in the 6th century, they finally got serious and whipped up the Hagia Sophia we know today, the world's first big dome church, basically the Beyoncé of Byzantine architecture. It was the biggest church on earth for a while, and everyone was very impressed. Then, in 1453, the Ottomans rolled in and said, Nice church, we'll take it. Mosque mode activated. Jump to 1935, Turkey's new Republic decided the Hagia Sophia needed a rebrand with museum vibes only. Fast forward again and by 2023, they couldn't make up their mind, so now in 2024 it's officially both. Mosque and museum. Because apparently, when you're this iconic, you get to be everything, everywhere, all at once.
On my trip to Turkey a few years back I was amazed of the beauty of this mosque. The orange reddish wall door was so intricate and the architecture was so beautiful. It's a marvel how history ty from the byzantine empire still stands today. When I went the call of prayer was going on so I was only able to get a view of the outside. The hustle and bustle outside still going on with much activity. Thankfully there were lots of benches where you can sit and relax. The garden grounds around the mosque were filled with tamed shrubbery and flowers. You can tell they maintain the place well. Oh and many street cats just chilling around. Good thing in Turkey they feed them and take good care of all stray cats there. :) Definitely a must see if you travel there turkey.
I always wanted to visit the famous Hagia Sophia and didn't want to miss the chance while passing through on a trip back from Morocco. We were fortunate that we had a knowledgeable guide who was very well versed on the history and significance of the cathedral turned mosque over its 1500 years of history (from Byzantine to Ottoman to modern day Turkey). What's remaining of the mosaics are incredibly intricate and detailed. It is a very unique experience seeing the blend of Christian and Islamic symbolism side by side. Pro-tip: if you are visiting with a guide and there's a long line for ticket purchase, your guide can purchase tickets for you online as it's not available for non-guides (you can ask if they don't offer). This saved a lot of time.
This mosque is one of the top attractions in Istanbul, and is definitely worth a visit. It's expensive (same price as Topkapi, but not as much to see), and you can also add a virtual experience at the Ayasofya museum nearby. The virtual experience is nice, but probably not really worth the money. In general, make sure you buy tickets in advance as the lines to get in can be crazy. The mosque itself is gorgeous and still has some Christian frescoes which are over 1000 years old!
I have to admit I was singularly unprepared for the impact of the Hagia Sophia would have when I walked it. As my UK friends would say "gobsmacked" fits my reaction well. To walk into a building that was initially built in the year 360 and subsequently fought over and added onto, was awesome. I will not delve into this Grand Mosques history as that could fill 500 yelp reviews alone. The scale and size of this place is hard to wrap your head around. The biggest issue are the lines. We were fortunate that our hotel room had a balcony that overlooked the building. Much to our dismay, the lines were ridiculous during the day. However, we simply chose to go at around 7 PM. There were almost no lines, and there was not a huge crowd. It was close to prayer time and if you are not praying they do ask that you step out. Aside from that to spend almost an hour basking in the history and magnificence of this place was a highlight of a trip trip filled with them.
The history of Hagia Sophia is amazing even through this day. Conquerors of all types, old and new have taken hold of the mosque for their own use. It was first erected in 360 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantius II. A majority of the current structure of Hagia Sophia was built under emperor Justinian I after the former church was destroyed in 532 C.E and was used by the Byzantine East Roman Empire as a cathedral between 537 - 1453 until Constantinople fell to the Ottomans. After the construction of the Great Church, Justinian declared that he had outdone Solomon. The architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles supervised the construction of the ginormous structure. Inside I felt like an ant. The central dome is over 150 feet high and stands on an arcade of 40 arched windows. During the 13th Century, in Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia Church became a Roman Catholic Cathedral. After severe neglect and damages from earthquakes, the church was closed to the public and renovation orders were given in 1354. The church was caught in the middle of conflicts between the western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The crowds began avoiding the church, believing it to be the haunt of demons. Several locals reported that they witnessed the Holy Spirit leave the church, just days before Constantinople fell to the Ottoman siege in 1453. The first Friday prayer was held on 1 June 1453. Between 1453 and 1922 the Hagia Sophia underwent several architectural modifications. In 1922, the Ottoman Empire fell and the Republic of Turkey was born under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In 1935, Atatürk, as the founder and President of Turkey, declared that the Hagia Sophia would be converted into a museum. Large-scale renovation efforts were undertaken, where floor carpets were replaced, new design elements were added and mosaics were restored. A major change brought about by Atatürk was to maintain the Hagia Sophia as a secular institution. Until 1991, all religious prayers and observations were prohibited within the premises of the Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia was the most-visited attraction in Turkey in 2015 and 2019. In 2020 A Turkish Prime Minister used it as a political point, promising the religious right he would convert it into a mosque if he were elected. The museum was re-designated as a mosque under Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It's worth the trip and there are lots of other historical spots nearby including the adjacent remnants of the Roman Hippodrome
We visited Hagia Sofia 16 years ago & it hasn't lost its charm. The lines were hours long we didn't have the energy to stand for so late by to go inside. Originally it was the Church of the Holy Wisdom, built by Roman Emperor Justinian, as the Christian cathedral of Constantinople around 537. The Byzantine church was the world's largest interior space & among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. When the Ottoman's controlled the empire, it became an Orthodox church, with its architectural style emulating Ottoman mosques a thousand years later. It became the religious & spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church for almost 1,000 years. Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, & Hagia Sofia was converted to a mosque by Mehmed the Conqueror. It became the principal mosque of Istanbul until the 1616 construction of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Signs of Christianity were removed or plastered over and Islamic architectural features were added including 4 minarets, a minbar & a mihrab.
Hagia Sofia in English. She has so much history. Located next door to the Sultan's Palace Tokopi, this structure was originally constructed as a Greek Orthodox Christian Church almost 1500 years ago. She has seen Emperors crowned, the Crusades, then the Ottomans. In 1453 the Ottomans took control of Constantinople, renamed it Istanbul and converted the church to a mosque. It is an interesting mixture. You see the traditional Orthodox elements of a large domed roof, semi-domed alter, and two porches or narthex. Most of the marble floor is covered in emerald, green carpet. The 104 columns were imported from Ephesus and Egypt. Only a couple of the Byzantine mosaics have been uncovered. The others are hidden behind gold medallions with Islamic calligraphy. I can't begin to describe the ancient stonework and the architecture. The magnificent medallions and the flowing calligraphy. The beautiful simple chandelier like lighting. I am just in awe I have spent time inside and out of the structure. Upon entry there are shelves to place your shoes in. A woman's head must be covered inside at all times. You can roam most of the main room. Be respectful, it's a place of prayer. Pictures are allowed. I recommend getting the museum pass. It saves you money and time not standing in lines. Also, if you arrive about 15 minutes before it opens, you can avoid most of the crowds. Even in October
Hagia Sophia was so beautiful we were in awe! Located across from the Blue Mosque near the Grand Bazaar, a visit to the Hagia Sophia is a must! It has free entry, but heads up you do have to take your shoes off to step on the carpet. Also the 24 hours Google info shows is not accurate as of my visit a couple days ago. I think the latest it was open is 10 pm. If the line is long try coming when it's dark. Line was much shorter. 100% make this a visit.
One of the most amazing places I've ever seen, let me start with the negatives so you're prepared. Even in the off season, it's crowded. Part of the crowd are guided tours, quite the nuisance and do not fall prey to the multitude of charlatans aggressively touting their personal guide services. What you need instead is a little personal research using Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, or National Geographic tour guides. Be prepared for the steep admission charge, and remember this is a must see, and an expensive place to maintain, it's in constant restoration. That may interfere with good PICs that show the majesty of the place, but certainly doesn't subtract from the historic experience. This was the third church built in the same location, it is the archetype of Byzantine Architecture, built by famed mathematicians Anthemios and Isidoros as ordered by Emperor Justinianos in 532 to 537. That was very fast in those days, and impossible today, renovations will take twice as long. It survived sacking and looting by the Fourth Crusade and being converted to a mosque by the Ottomans. In fact, ruing the reign of Murad III, architect Sinan added buttresses and Islamic artistic touches that reinforced the structure to endure earthquakes. It's one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey, it is a museum and a mosque. The breathtaking and dizzying dome reads: "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a crystal, the crystal is like a shining star, lit from (the oil of) a blessed olive tree, (located) neither to the east nor the west, whose oil would almost glow, even without being touched by fire." (Nur, 24/35) The work of Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Efendi,calligrapher during the reign of Sultan Abdulmejid. Dress appropriately and respectfully, it's still a mosque. read more
This is an Orthodox Church that convert to mosque. This may be happen during Ottoman era in 1453. This history site is classified as museum and it is classified as Ayasofya Cami. You need a ticket to visit for non Muslim visitors. You can buy the combo ticket with Hagia Sophia museum or building visit along. Price is not cheap. The interior can spot some mosaic tile with orthodox figures. The ticket only allows second floor visit. The wall is kind of cover up with huge platt. You won't see the wall painting. However you can see how big is the dome. Visit take you one hours. read more
7 months ago
Absolutely stunning! Hagia Sofia, I was not familiar with your game. It was so interesting to see how much Christian influence and history is here, which I had no idea about. Our ticketing and entrance process was smooth, though busy - expect lines if you don't go right away in the morning or near closing. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders, chest and knees - and a scarf for covering your head for ladies. They do have some there if you need one. The space is huge! Down on the main floor is just for practicing Muslims to pray, so the space accessible to guests in the higher area. They did have a few spots where you can get audio info, but it was pretty limited info and more of a description of what you're seeing. The ticket covered admission to the museum (not attached, another building) that was VERY helpful and informative! We did that second but wished we'd done it first. Such a stunning space with a ton of history. An absolute must in Istanbul! read more
Yelp Review 2025 #212: I found a Skip-the-Line ticket for Hagia Sophia through a travel website because the line to get in gets pretty crazy. I got to the line to enter by 8:45am expecting to skip the line because that's the ticket I paid for. However, I got refused entry in a very rude way. I reached out to the tour operator and no answer. I reached out to the website I got my ticket from and several frustrating messages back and forth later, I got them to issue me a refund as I stand in line to purchase a ticket. My advice after my terrible experience is just buy your ticket at ticketing booth there at 9am and as long as you're in line to enter before 9:30am, you'll still avoid the crowd especially big tour groups...or pay extra to join a tour group. The lady at the ticket booth wasn't fantastic either. She asked me what kind of ticket I want. I said whatever ticket allows me to see everything and she snarkily asked me "what's everything?" How the heck am I supposed to know details and every single part of Hagia Sophia if I've never been??? The ticket was $66. I finally got in and there were about 2 tour groups. Since I already lost at least 30 minutes if my time, I had to do a quick tour and I was done in 30 minutes. It's not as big as I thought it would be inside. Every few years they change Hagia Sophia to just a mosque to museum and a mosque so be sure you can visit before you come here. People come here to see the dome. It was just not a pleasurable experience. This was the worst experience I've had while in Türkiye. read more
The Hagia Sophia is such a beautiful Greek Orthodox Church turned Mosque, turned museum and then turned back into a mosque. It's interesting how the Ottomans were smart enough to not destroy buildings, but make changes to reinvent them. For example, they do not believe in idols or having paintings and frescos of their prophets or Gods, it's considered blasphemous, however, since the believe in Jesus was a prophet, they also could not cover up his or the Virgin Mary's fresco, but they did cover frescos of saints or other figures and removed crosses. The nice thing about this is by simply covering them they are being preserved so perhaps one day we will get to see them. read more
It was a great experience! The building is an architectural masterpiece that has gone through a lot of changes in history. I think reading the history of Ayasofya is a better way than my comments but if you are in Istanbul, spend 2-3 hours for visiting it. You won't regret! :) read more
Hagia Sophia, the pink drama queen of architecture. Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, decided Ephesus wasn't harbor-chic enough, so in the 4th century he pointed at Istanbul, then Byzantium, and said This is it. Naturally, he built a church. Out of wood. Which, shocker, burned down in a massive fire. Fast forward to 532, second attempt: crushed. So, in the 6th century, they finally got serious and whipped up the Hagia Sophia we know today, the world's first big dome church, basically the Beyoncé of Byzantine architecture. It was the biggest church on earth for a while, and everyone was very impressed. Then, in 1453, the Ottomans rolled in and said, Nice church, we'll take it. Mosque mode activated. Jump to 1935, Turkey's new Republic decided the Hagia Sophia needed a rebrand with museum vibes only. Fast forward again and by 2023, they couldn't make up their mind, so now in 2024 it's officially both. Mosque and museum. Because apparently, when you're this iconic, you get to be everything, everywhere, all at once. read more
On my trip to Turkey a few years back I was amazed of the beauty of this mosque. The orange reddish wall door was so intricate and the architecture was so beautiful. It's a marvel how history ty from the byzantine empire still stands today. When I went the call of prayer was going on so I was only able to get a view of the outside. The hustle and bustle outside still going on with much activity. Thankfully there were lots of benches where you can sit and relax. The garden grounds around the mosque were filled with tamed shrubbery and flowers. You can tell they maintain the place well. Oh and many street cats just chilling around. Good thing in Turkey they feed them and take good care of all stray cats there. :) Definitely a must see if you travel there turkey. read more
I always wanted to visit the famous Hagia Sophia and didn't want to miss the chance while passing through on a trip back from Morocco. We were fortunate that we had a knowledgeable guide who was very well versed on the history and significance of the cathedral turned mosque over its 1500 years of history (from Byzantine to Ottoman to modern day Turkey). What's remaining of the mosaics are incredibly intricate and detailed. It is a very unique experience seeing the blend of Christian and Islamic symbolism side by side. Pro-tip: if you are visiting with a guide and there's a long line for ticket purchase, your guide can purchase tickets for you online as it's not available for non-guides (you can ask if they don't offer). This saved a lot of time. read more
Top site to see! I recommend getting tickets online ahead of time so you can skip the ticket line and go directly to the entrance line. They have information available about the structure but it's just as nice to see it. read more
1 year ago
This mosque is one of the top attractions in Istanbul, and is definitely worth a visit. It's expensive (same price as Topkapi, but not as much to see), and you can also add a virtual experience at the Ayasofya museum nearby. The virtual experience is nice, but probably not really worth the money. In general, make sure you buy tickets in advance as the lines to get in can be crazy. The mosque itself is gorgeous and still has some Christian frescoes which are over 1000 years old! read more
3 months ago
I have to admit I was singularly unprepared for the impact of the Hagia Sophia would have when I walked it. As my UK friends would say "gobsmacked" fits my reaction well. To walk into a building that was initially built in the year 360 and subsequently fought over and added onto, was awesome. I will not delve into this Grand Mosques history as that could fill 500 yelp reviews alone. The scale and size of this place is hard to wrap your head around. The biggest issue are the lines. We were fortunate that our hotel room had a balcony that overlooked the building. Much to our dismay, the lines were ridiculous during the day. However, we simply chose to go at around 7 PM. There were almost no lines, and there was not a huge crowd. It was close to prayer time and if you are not praying they do ask that you step out. Aside from that to spend almost an hour basking in the history and magnificence of this place was a highlight of a trip trip filled with them. read more
The history of Hagia Sophia is amazing even through this day. Conquerors of all types, old and new have taken hold of the mosque for their own use. It was first erected in 360 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantius II. A majority of the current structure of Hagia Sophia was built under emperor Justinian I after the former church was destroyed in 532 C.E and was used by the Byzantine East Roman Empire as a cathedral between 537 - 1453 until Constantinople fell to the Ottomans. After the construction of the Great Church, Justinian declared that he had outdone Solomon. The architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles supervised the construction of the ginormous structure. Inside I felt like an ant. The central dome is over 150 feet high and stands on an arcade of 40 arched windows. During the 13th Century, in Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia Church became a Roman Catholic Cathedral. After severe neglect and damages from earthquakes, the church was closed to the public and renovation orders were given in 1354. The church was caught in the middle of conflicts between the western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The crowds began avoiding the church, believing it to be the haunt of demons. Several locals reported that they witnessed the Holy Spirit leave the church, just days before Constantinople fell to the Ottoman siege in 1453. The first Friday prayer was held on 1 June 1453. Between 1453 and 1922 the Hagia Sophia underwent several architectural modifications. In 1922, the Ottoman Empire fell and the Republic of Turkey was born under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In 1935, Atatürk, as the founder and President of Turkey, declared that the Hagia Sophia would be converted into a museum. Large-scale renovation efforts were undertaken, where floor carpets were replaced, new design elements were added and mosaics were restored. A major change brought about by Atatürk was to maintain the Hagia Sophia as a secular institution. Until 1991, all religious prayers and observations were prohibited within the premises of the Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia was the most-visited attraction in Turkey in 2015 and 2019. In 2020 A Turkish Prime Minister used it as a political point, promising the religious right he would convert it into a mosque if he were elected. The museum was re-designated as a mosque under Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It's worth the trip and there are lots of other historical spots nearby including the adjacent remnants of the Roman Hippodrome read more
We visited Hagia Sofia 16 years ago & it hasn't lost its charm. The lines were hours long we didn't have the energy to stand for so late by to go inside. Originally it was the Church of the Holy Wisdom, built by Roman Emperor Justinian, as the Christian cathedral of Constantinople around 537. The Byzantine church was the world's largest interior space & among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. When the Ottoman's controlled the empire, it became an Orthodox church, with its architectural style emulating Ottoman mosques a thousand years later. It became the religious & spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church for almost 1,000 years. Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, & Hagia Sofia was converted to a mosque by Mehmed the Conqueror. It became the principal mosque of Istanbul until the 1616 construction of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Signs of Christianity were removed or plastered over and Islamic architectural features were added including 4 minarets, a minbar & a mihrab. read more
Hagia Sofia in English. She has so much history. Located next door to the Sultan's Palace Tokopi, this structure was originally constructed as a Greek Orthodox Christian Church almost 1500 years ago. She has seen Emperors crowned, the Crusades, then the Ottomans. In 1453 the Ottomans took control of Constantinople, renamed it Istanbul and converted the church to a mosque. It is an interesting mixture. You see the traditional Orthodox elements of a large domed roof, semi-domed alter, and two porches or narthex. Most of the marble floor is covered in emerald, green carpet. The 104 columns were imported from Ephesus and Egypt. Only a couple of the Byzantine mosaics have been uncovered. The others are hidden behind gold medallions with Islamic calligraphy. I can't begin to describe the ancient stonework and the architecture. The magnificent medallions and the flowing calligraphy. The beautiful simple chandelier like lighting. I am just in awe I have spent time inside and out of the structure. Upon entry there are shelves to place your shoes in. A woman's head must be covered inside at all times. You can roam most of the main room. Be respectful, it's a place of prayer. Pictures are allowed. I recommend getting the museum pass. It saves you money and time not standing in lines. Also, if you arrive about 15 minutes before it opens, you can avoid most of the crowds. Even in October read more
Hagia Sophia was so beautiful we were in awe! Located across from the Blue Mosque near the Grand Bazaar, a visit to the Hagia Sophia is a must! It has free entry, but heads up you do have to take your shoes off to step on the carpet. Also the 24 hours Google info shows is not accurate as of my visit a couple days ago. I think the latest it was open is 10 pm. If the line is long try coming when it's dark. Line was much shorter. 100% make this a visit. read more
Really gorgeous and worth the crowd! It was a pretty warm day and on my way back from getting some awesome Turkish ice cream (it's kinda chewy but all yummy) I decided to finally go in for a visit. From the outside it almost looks fake. Like Disney world did the best darn Epcot center job ever! Really it is something to see in person against the blue sky, the architecture so very foreign to this Californian (I guess here in SD we have that big white Mormon temple? Yeah i know, not even close...) I am so glad I had the opportunity to really take in the sight. Being very much a solo traveler, I was already dressed in clothing that covered my arms and legs. I don't like to get hassled and everywhere I travel seems to favor clothing on the more conservative side. Just a tip for solo female travelers, be ready to cover up! (Ohhhhh but later I did see a woman in a tube top and skirt being followed by a large group of men... I think she was in the business.... ya know... nudge nudge...) Anyway there is a line to get a ticket and then a line to enter. Once you enter there is a nice little cafe area where you can sit and cool off a little should you want. I ended up having a beverage and enjoyed the rest. Inside the main hall is what provides those jaw dropping views of beauty and art. Religions side by side in a mishmash of long ago power struggles. It's actually beautiful to behold! I won't go into all the history here but definitely read up on it before you go. It'll be more meaningful. At one point inside I noticed the cutest cat. So I went over to it and gave it some cat treats (Istanbul is VERY cat friendly) that I carried around for such an occasion. The kitty was friendly and let me pet it and such. I was having so much fun I did not realize the growing number of tourists grouping around and taking pictures. I could see they all wanted their chance with the cat so I backed off ...it made me laugh that we were in such a beautiful place with so much history and here was this cat being the star of the show! Actually cats are everywhere inside and outside so get excited! Jokes aside, it is a must see attraction in Istanbul and I cannot recommend it more. The history especially for us Americans will blow our minds because we are such a newer country. Sure it's crowded, yes they are probably renovating (hopefully that's done with but it does take away from the awe inspiring art), but it is a visit you will not forget! read more
3 years ago
MashAllah! The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque aka in Turkish Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi, has amazing innovative architecture features, a rich history to be told , religious significance and extraordinary characteristics. There's is no entrance fee as it's a mosque. All visitors are required to take off their shoes (leave your shoes in cubby's or in front of the entrance steps) before stepping onto the Mosque's carpets. And for non Islamic sisters (women) please bring a head covering as it's required to cover your head/hair before coming inside the mosque prayer area as well as modest clothes that's at least covers and is below the knee. If you're not prepared to enter the mosque there is an area where you may purchase a disposable abaya & head scarf before entering. The mosque was beautiful , heads up the line can get very long about an hour wait or so It's full of people luckily we had a guide who made line for us prior to going. I was able to visit and come for prayer! InshAllah you will be able to come visit this beautiful Mosque. read more
One of the most beautiful, fascinating, and stunning architectural wonders in the world. Its really amazing to see something monumental that withstood the test of time for over 1,500 years. Very impressive on the outside as well as the inside. We visited in early October 2020 and we were very lucky that there was very little tourist due to the pandemic. Please take note of the prayer times. read more
The Hagia Sophia was actually my favorite attraction in Istanbul. Built in 537, it was first a Christian church for Constantinople for the Eastern Roman Empire. It was not until 1453, that it became a mosque. In 1935, it was turned into a museum by the Turkish Republic. Now, in 2020, the government has reclassified it as a mosque again. What made this place so impressive was the size of it, with sky high ceilings and an expansive interior. The architecture is also amazing, with a lot of intricate details. Because of its unique history, you can see elements of both Christianity and Islam inside. We were told that when it was turned into a mosque, a lot of the Christian sculptures and paintings were simply painted over or covered over by plaster. Workers were able to restore these, so the interior contains images of both religions. This is a must see for all visitors to Istanbul. Entry is only 100 lira, which is roughly 15 US dollars. read more
3 years ago
Given the age and complex history of Hagia Sophia a trip to Istanbul mandates a visit, the grandeur of a building erected in the year 360 still impressive by modern standards even though its status as a mosque limits the areas tourists can visit. read more
3 years ago
This architecture marvel is a must see in Istanbul,Turkey . The Hagia Sophia is symbolic of this gorgeous city that was built nearly 1,500 years ago . It's purpose has changed many times over the centuries but now it is used as a mosque and tourist site . There are evens cats enjoying this extraordinary beauty. I am forever grateful to have visited here . read more
You don't really need me to tell you to check this place out do you? I mean it pre- dates Islam. It's was the biggest structure of its time for a millennia. No I am not exaggerating. How many buildings in Rome that you see with the exception of the Pantheon that remains relatively intact? Can you think of any? This was capital of Byzantium*. So if you only have one place to see in Istanbul and you are a Christian this would be it. What's left of the original architecture is AMAZING !!! This place started as a church around 532 AD by my math that's 1500 years old give or take. *The Eastern Roman Empire read more
Hagia Sophia used to be a cathedral. It then changed to a mosque. These days, it's a museum. As a tourist, it is simply a spectacular place to visit. It is across from the Blue Mosque. My walking tour included a stop inside Hagia Sophia. It is incredible how much attention to details folks did to build such a magnificent architectural masterpiece, without the heavy equipment and tools that we have these days. If you love art, architecture, and history, this stop is screaming out your name. There are both Christian and Islamic details when you peruse the museum. I learned a ton and was in awe of how beautiful this place is. I highly recommend stopping by. (108) read more
7 years ago
Visiting the Ayasofya Muzesi is a geopolitical lesson in Asia Minor history. Built in 537 AD as an Eastern Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral, it remained such until 1453 when the Ottoman Imperial Empire under Mehmed the Conqueror seized control converting it to a mosque. It remained such until 1951. The Turkish government then declared the mosque a museum and administered its functions. The Ayasofya Muzesi is presently still a museum but as recently as March 2019, Recep Tayyia Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister has hinted at converting it back to a fully functioning mosque. The Ayasofya Muzesi is a UNESCO world heritage site. It represents the epitome of Byzantine architecture and at the time changed the history of architecture. Its massive dome was the largest in the world until the Cathedral of Florence was built. It was also the largest cathedral until 1520 when the Cathedral of Seville was constructed. In 1453, almost all traces of its Christian foundations were removed. The bells, altar, iconostasis and other relics were destroyed. Mosaics of Jesus, Christian saints and angels were removed or plastered over. What can be seen today are the Islamic minbar (pulpit), four minarets on the outside of the museum which called the faithful to prayer, the fountain (Sadiruan) used for ritual cleansing, Islamic script and the mihrab (a niche in the wall indicating the direction toward Mecca for prayer. Other note worthy features include buttresses which were added throughout the centuries, Lustration Umn (large urn), the marble door (one side representing heaven the other hell) and the Emperors door, a wooden door, built in the 6th century and alleged to have come from Noah's Ark. This is a must see when visiting Istanbul. read more
Aya Sophia (aka: Hagia Sophia) is a place I highly recommend to visit if you're in Istanbul, Turkey . It's an old Roman Cathedral that was converted into a mosque when the Ottoman Empire controlled the city and then to a museum. In 2020 it was converted into a mosque again. The place has so much history and you can still see some Christian paintings on the walls. I visited Aya Sophia in 2021. I cannot remember if I had to pay to enter. read more
This site is 1500 years old! I recommend you read about the history before your visit to the Hagia Sofia (they call it Ayasofya). This place changed architecture forever. It's so magnificent that when Justinian I had it built in 537 AD, he bragged that he had outdone King Solomon. But even about 250 years before Justinian built the church, there was another church built at the same site. And before that there was a pagan temple there! the church has survived burning down by fires twice, and it's been damaged by earthquakes and repaired. There are stories of gold and riches taken by Crusaders to pay for their wars. Visit several times to really take it in. The minarets, the marble walls, mosaics, lamps, and calligraphy and so much history. In 1453, the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed had it converted into a mosque. The Ottoman Turks made the building even more beautiful and the master Turkish architect Sinan made the building strong enough to resist earthquakes. In the 1800's the Fosati brothers were invited from Italy to help with restorations. It's easy to visit. make sure you check out the side and the back, not just the front. Check out the vendors outside. read more
Beautiful, definitely worth the visit. It's a place of retreat. Entering the Ayasofya felt quite intimidating. It's as huge as it is small. The small refuge offered to its visitors is enough to open your heart and make the most fervent atheists question their disbelief. I felt hugged by the holy green mats and I felt compelled to see. See every inch, every curve, every carving and every pit. Some come to pray, so be careful to not walk in front of them as they do so ( it's disrespectful). What touched me the most was the fact that places like these seem to unite people, even if it's just for a fleeting moment: all come to admire the beautifully written "Allahu akbar" and thank the Entity that inspired the humans to build this place, centuries ago. read more
11 years ago
Incredible. No picture can capture this incredible Christian, then Muslim, now Museum, "Great Church" of Constantinople. Even more amazing, it was built in 537 A.D. Need to know: Cost-25 TL Closed Monday Tuesdays are extra packed since Topkapi Palace is closed Favorite points: Column of St. Gregory-put your thumb into it & can cure afflictions & infertility (I did NOT do this; no more children. haha!) Upper Gallery Imperial Gate NAVE-Truly the highlight. Critical to visit when in Istanbul. read more
First a church and then a mosque, to keep the peace in Turkey, the building was secularized in 1931 and remains a museum. Extensive renovations have been underway for decades (our tour guide said that she saw the same scaffolding when she first came her as a child) to uncover the paintworks and features that were plastered over during the years. It's been nearly a millennium and a half - FIFTEEN CENTURIES - since it was first constructed and it is an amazing structure. I was seriously impressed with the ramp to the second floor. They did that with stones. I can't imagine how hard that must have been! And for over a thousand years, this was the largest cathedral in the world! Make sure you do go upstairs for a better view and a number of other interesting things on display. Including a graffito that is dated back to a NINTH CENTURY VIKING. And a tombstone for a crusader that dates back to 1205. OMG! To make sure it's clear, when the Muslims converted it from church to mosque, they simply plastered over the imagery. They didn't destroy it. Islam doesn't do images of people or animals, so they plastered over and painted floral and other designs. read more
5 years ago
It was amazing to check out the Hagia Sophia. It is absolutely stunning and such an amazing historic structure. I definitely recommend checking this place out, it is a must see. read more
This place is very near the blue mosque, so worth a visit. If you plan on visiting all the sights nearby, it might be worth to get one of those 3 day museum passes that give you access to all the places and save some money. This used to be a cathedral and then was converted to a mosque and is now a museum. You can still see some of the catholic influence in the structure, from the arches to some remaining paintings on the wall. Unfortunately this summer it's under renovation (not sure for how long), so its hard to appreciate the main area. read more
5 years ago
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Ayasofya Müzesi - museums - Updated July 2026
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