Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: What You Need to Know

The Hagia Sophia, as you see it today, resembles a mosque. However, that wasn't always the case: Emperor Constantine once had a basilica built on this site, which was burned down just under 40 years later. The church rebuilt in 415 was also destroyed by fire during the Nika riots in 532.

A final reconstruction was completed in 537 under Roman Emperor Justinian I. According to legend, the church's design was revealed to the emperor in a dream. Under the supervision of architect Anthemios of Tralles and mathematician Isidore of Miletus, this massive construction project was completed in just five years - marking the origin of the Hagia Sophia.

With a ground area of 70 by 75 meters, the Hagia Sophia was the largest church of its time. For the following 916 years, it served as the main church of the Byzantine Empire. In addition to both Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic services, the Hagia Sophia also hosted coronations of Roman emperors and important ceremonies.

With the conquest of former Constantinople, now Istanbul, by the Ottomans in 1453, Sultan Mehmed initiated the transformation of the mighty Christian cathedral into a Muslim mosque. The altar, bells, and Christian insignia were all removed in the process. The numerous mosaics that adorned the original cathedral were destroyed or plastered over during the renovations.

Instead, today you can discover many symbols and elements of Islam both inside the building and outside: These include the four minarets at the corners of the foundation, a cistern, and prayer niches.

Until 1932, the Hagia Sophia was used as a place of Islamic worship, until it became a museum. Each year, during the fasting month of Ramadan, it is reverted back to a mosque, attracting thousands of pilgrims.

Atatürk, the first president of Turkey, ordered the conversion of the mosque into a museum. Since 1935, it has been open to the public and in recent years has attracted over three million visitors annually. For the opening of the museum, many mosaics from the Byzantine era were uncovered again. The lack of separation of church and state during the time of Hagia Sophia's construction is reflected in many of these mosaics:

The images depict both biblical figures, such as Mary, Joseph, and the Archangel Gabriel, as well as portrayals of important Roman emperors. Beyond the impressive interiors, you'll find additional details from the Ottoman period in the courtyard: You can visit royal tombs and the mosque fountain here. In front of the entrance, you will see parts of the foundation dating back to the 5th century, along with elements of the bell tower from the 13th century.

When visiting the Hagia Sophia, you should pay special attention to the colossal dome over the main nave. With a diameter of 31 meters and a height of 56 meters, it is considered a true marvel of engineering and serves as a model for many other domed roofs built over time.

What is extraordinary about this dome is that despite its size, it is supported by only four columns and seems to float effortlessly above the ground. The impressive dome is largely why the Hagia Sophia is a contender for the title of the eighth wonder of the world.

You can visit the Hagia Sophia year-round, as the Ayasofya Camii Müzesi is open daily from 9:00 am. From November through mid-April, the museum closes at 5:00 pm, while in the remaining months, you can visit until 7:00 pm. Admission costs 40 Turkish Lira per adult, which is approximately $4.60.

But not only the interior of the Hagia Sophia, but the massive dome basilica itself is breathtaking: If you want to take a panoramic view of this masterpiece of history, one of the Bosphorus boat tours is recommended. The Bosphorus connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea, dividing Istanbul into West and East.

A particularly beautiful view is offered in the evening darkness when the Hagia Sophia is bathed in yellow light. This structure is considered the most beautiful sight in Istanbul and is definitely worth a visit during your trip! Enjoy chestnuts, corn on the cob, and other local specialties from numerous small stalls on the plaza and immerse yourself in Turkish culture with all your senses.