Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)Famous for its impressive size, remarkable architecture and
beautiful mosaics and frescoes, the massive ochre-coloured domed
structure known as Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul's most popular
attractions. It was commissioned as a cathedral in the 6th century
and remained the most important church in Christianity for over 900
years. In the 15th century Mehmet II conquered the city and
converted it into a mosque, adding the minarets and fountains. It
functioned as such for the next 481 years until the founding of the
secular Turkish Republic in 1934 when it was declared a museum.
Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest Byzantine buildings in the
world, and the vast interior, with its huge soaring dome, is
extraordinary. The interior contains different features from its
time as a cathedral and then as a mosque, including incredible
Byzantine mosaics, icons and marble columns, a mihrab (niche
indicating the direction of Mecca), and Islamic calligraphy
inscriptions on the dome from the Ottom
Address: Sultanahmet Square
Telephone: (212) 518 1802
Transportation: Sultanahmet tram stop
Opening Time: Open daily except Mondays from
9:30am-4:30pm
Admission: 15 YTL |
RSS Feeds
Find a Restaurant in Your City
