Hagia Sophia Museum

The largest church in the world is a testament to the great cultural and religious value of Istanbul. After the conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 by caliph Sultan Mehmed II, the church became a mosque, and remained as such until it was converted into a museum after Ataturk's rise to power. and declared the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. In 1985, the UNESCO World Heritage Organization listed Hagia Sophia as a World Heritage Site.

It was built by order of Constantine II, Byzantine Emperor, in AD 360, and Istanbul was then called the central Constantinople of the Byzantine Empire. The church was named Hagia Sophia, but after a few years was badly damaged by a big fire. The church was rebuilt in the sixth century and reopened to the public.

In AD 405, several sections were added, the most important of which were the five altars. In AD 532, the Cathedral was again destroyed by the famous Battle of Nika, which destroyed almost all of present-day Istanbul. Archaeologists later discovered the remains of Hagia Sophia in the basement of the building, which is now open to the public.

In the 15th century, after years of war between the Muslims and the Byzantine Empire, under the leadership of the Ottoman king Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror, Constantinople was occupied by the Muslims. Constantinople became the center of the Ottoman Empire and was renamed Islamabad. The church was built four more minarets and it was converted into a mosque. Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, this Mosque has taken on a new shape in the new era, by turning it into a Museum.

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is a church with extremely unique architecture.

The dome of this mosque is 56 meters above the ground with a diameter of 33 meters resting on four main pillars. The dome is considered as one of the most important parts of this mosque, it attracts the attention of visitors even before stepping inside the church. The reason behind the height of the building is the tendency of dome builders to embody the concept of attachment and closeness to the sky and God. A distinctive feature of the architecture of the Hagia Sophia mosque is the beautiful combination of domes and columns. Four impressive pillars resembling the legs of a giant elephant support the mosque's four domes including the central dome.

There are 40 windows at the base of the dome in the mosque, where sunlight enters the interior of the building making the mosque more shimmering.

Another reason why Hagia Sophia is so important is the cathedral's chief architect - architect Sinan, one of the most famous architects of the Ottoman period. He restored and rebuilt many parts of the church and made it a symbol and pride not only of Istanbul but also of the Turkish people.

When visiting this mosque, visitors will find not only a large nave, but also a magnificent building consisting of various parts:

Altar:

Whether as a Christian church or a mosque, the altar is still the most important part of a church. The most famous altar is the golden altar located in the southeast, decorated with beautiful lampstands, a gift from the King of Hungary.

Decorative bricks:

One of the highlights of the Hagia Sophia mosque is its elegant bricks, which carry different historical stories. If you visit the museum with a skilled tour guide, you will hear the interesting stories behind these bricks, especially those built during the Ottoman period.

Dome:

The famous Hagia Sophia Mosque has a 55.60 meter high dome built of brick and marble. Visitors are sure to feel the magnificence of seeing the dome from below. Surprisingly, this dome has been destroyed many times by fire and earthquake but has been rebuilt.

Bar Minbar :

Minbar bar is a very important part of the mosque. This is an architectural platform built higher in the front area of ​​a mosque, from which sermons or speeches are given. The minbar is located to the right of the mihrab , marking the direction of the qiblah for prayer. Minbars are usually made of carved wood, stone or brick. The minbar consists of a short staircase leading to the top platform, sometimes covered by a small dome. At the bottom of the stairs there may be a gate or door. The Minbar in the Hagia Sophia was built during the Ottoman Empire.

The courtyard and minaret of the mosque:

Hagia Sophia has a very interesting outdoor area. This is also the remains after the fire and attracts the curiosity of many tourists. In addition, this mosque also has 4 beautifully decorated minarets with a height of about 60 meters.

Graves:

Inside the Cathedral Square there are many tombs of the Sultans (Muslim leaders) during the Ottoman Empire.

Hagia Sophia is located not far from Taksim square and the famous neighborhood of Istikla. Visitors can easily walk from the square to see one of Turkey's great architectural masterpieces.

Fare:

Adults: 60 liras/pax

Children under 12 years old: Free

Business hours:

Weekdays from Monday.

From April 15 to October 30: 9:00 - 19:00

From October 30 to April 15: 9:00-17:00 visit Hagia Sophia