Visit Istanbul's legendary landmark: the Hagia Sophia

There's no point in coming to Istanbul if you're planning to skip a visit to the former Basilica of Saint Sophia! It was transformed into a museum in 1934 before becoming a mosque again in July 2020, under the impetus of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This spectacular monument has a rich history inside and out that has carried it through the years, despite the transformations and changes that have taken place over the course of different eras.

Istanbul's Hagia Sophia Museum is undoubtedly one of the most important historical relics illustrating the development of the country's civilisation. Before it became a museum under the aegis of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Saint Sophia was a church first built in 360 AD by the Eastern Roman emperor Constantine. Some of the ruins of this building can still be seen in today's church-museum. It was during the reign of Emperor Justinian that the building we know today was completed (it took 5 years and 10 months to build).

Saint Sophia then became the largest church in the Eastern Roman Empire for over 1,000 years. After being rebuilt 3 times following riots and rebellion, the Basilica of Saint Sophia was converted into the Aya Sofya Mosque in 1453 AD by Sultan Fatih Mehmet, putting an end to Eastern Roman imperial rule in Turkey.

To complete this transformation, four minarets, which can still be seen today, were added to the interior. The greatest transformation took place during the Ottoman Empire. Finally, on 1 February 1935, after another costly restoration, it was converted into a museum.

On 10 July 2020, Turkey's highest administrative court paved the way for the transformation of the former Basilica of Saint Sophia into a mosque by revoking its status as a museum. Hagia Sophia is now under the administration of the Religious Affairs Authority, but the building remains open to non-Muslim visitors free of charge outside prayer times. It faces the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.

As the Hagia Sophia again functions as a mosque, there is no entrance fee and non-Muslims can enter the building outside prayer times.

All visitors must be dressed respectfully (no shorts, short skirts or off-the-shoulder tops) and women must wear a headscarf before entering. Scarves can be borrowed free of charge from the main entrance. All visitors must remove their shoes at the entrance.

There are official tourist guides available in the entrance courtyard of Hagia Sophia, but if you are planning to visit several historical and tourist sites in the city, it is wiser to opt for an expert guide to delve deeper into the history of the city's great monuments.

Situated on the highest point of Istanbul, Saint Sophia offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. From the outside, you can admire its four minarets and magnificent dome measuring over 30 metres in diameter, a beautiful silhouette that has become the symbol of the Turkish metropolis.

The interior of the church is just as fascinating: the size of the main hall, the diffused light, the decorative medallions and the magnificent monolithic columns will leave all visitors speechless.

On the second floor of the basilica, historic mosaics are revealed. The most famous mosaic shows the emperor Constantine and the empress Zoe venerating Christ.

In addition to the mosaics, the tomb of Enrico Dandolo, Duke of Venice, who died in Constantinople in 1205, is on display. On the second floor, there is a beautiful view of the Blue Mosque.