Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, situated in the Sultanahmet Square, is an ancient basilica. In the 6th century, this building was commissioned as a cathedral and remained the most important church for over 900 years.

However, Mehmet II conquered the city in the 15th Century and turned the church into a mosque by adding minarets and fountains. For the next 481 years, Hagia Sophia served as a mosque until 1934, when it was declared a museum.

Considered to be one of the greatest Byzantine buildings in the world, Hagia Sophia is admired for its remarkable architecture. The massive dome of this ochre-coloured structure is 56 metres high and encloses a huge space across 30 metres.

On the inside, this museum features the interiors of both the cathedral as well as a mosque. Tourists get the opportunity to witness two different styles of architecture, including Byzantine mosaics, icons and marble columns, along with a mihrab and Islamic calligraphy inscriptions dating back the Ottoman period.

One can reach Hagia Sophia by taking a tram to Sultanahmet.
  
Timing: Tuesday - Sunday
              9 am – 5 pm (winter)
              9 am – 6 pm (summer)

Admission Fees:  432.96 INR