Hagia Sophia is without a doubt one of the most iconic and most beautiful buildings in the whole world. It translates as "Holy Wisdom" and it dates from the heyday of the Byzantine Empire. Visiting the Hagia Sophia is an indispensable part of spending a perfect weekend in Istanbul.
When it was first built it was the world's largest interior space. It was also one of the first to have a full pendentive dome. Its beauty has inspired churches and mosques ever since and has been said to have changed the history of architecture. Subseqent churches in the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire mimicked the design, as did Ottoman mosques (and they still do today).
History Of The Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia was built by Emperor Justinian I in 537 to be the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople. It was used by the Eastern Orthodox Church throughout the Byzantine period (except for as a Latin Catholic Cathedral during the Latin Empire from 1204 to 1261). Following the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, it was converted into a mosque.
- Built: 537 AD
- Served As: Orthodox Cathedral, Catholic Cathedral, Mosque, Museum
- Mosque: It Re-opened As A Mosque In 2020
Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the secular Turkish Republic, it was converted to a museum in 1935. In 2020 it once again re-opened as a mosque.
The Hagia Sophia was built on the site of a church that had been destroyed in the Nika Riots. These were incredibly destructive and bloody. Justinian sought to build a church such as had never been built before to signal a new beginning and forget the blood and carnage of those harrowing days.
- Largest: The Largest Cathedral In The World From 537 to 1520
It remained the world's largest cathedral for almost a thousand years from 537 to 1520 when the Seville Cathedral was completed. Soon the tallest cathedral in the world will be the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
While the Byzantine Empire crumble, the once-great city of Constantinople was a mere shadow of its former self. But the Byzantines had still taken care to keep the Hagia Sophia in a state of repair.
After the Ottomans captured Constantinople, they set to work on converting it. They destroyed the relics, removed the bells and altar, and plastered over the mosaics depicting Jesus, Mary, Saints, and angels (although some can still be seen today). Islamic features were added.
Notably, they added the four minarets, the mihrab, and the minbar (or pulpit).
Visiting The Hagia Sophia Today
Between 2015 and 2019 the Hagia Sophia was Turkey's most visited tourist attraction.
- Visited: Turkey's Most Visited Attraction
- Admission Fee: Free
- Guided Tours: There Are Many Guides Waiting outside The Mosque
Today it is perhaps the most iconic building in Istanbul. Since being converted back into a mosque it has become free. There are now no admission fees or ticketing of any kind to enter the Hagia Sophia. For those who would like a tour guide of the building, one can book one online or there are plenty of guides waiting out of the mosque offering their guide services.
- Time Limit: No Time Limit
To enter the plaza that the Hagia Sophia is in, one needs to pass through security. So don't take any knives or other sharp objects. One goes through a metal detector and is patted down. There are separate lines for males and females.
Once through security one can enjoy the Hagia Sophia for as long as one likes.
Etiquette For Entering The Mosque
Remember this is now a working mosque and so the rules about going to a mosque apply (although in the Hagia Sophia they are quite relaxed as it is still recognized as a tourist destination).
- Women: Dress Modestly
- Headscarf: Women Must Wear Headscarfs
Women must dress modestly. Do not wear short shorts or mini-skirts etc. and every woman must wear a headscarf (these are provided at the mosque - as are coverings if one is not deemed to be modestly dressed enough). Men should not wear shorts above the knee.
- Shoes: Must Be Removed Before Entering
As with all mosques, inside one must remove one's shoes (one does not need to wash or do other Islamic ablutions). There are large shoe racks outside and the carpet is soft and clean.
- Prayer Time: During Prayer Time, Women Must Go To The Women's Section
Everyone can enjoy the mosque but it is split into male and female sections (in mosques, men and women never worship together). The by far largest section is the men's section, and there is a much smaller section sectioned off for the women. Women only need to be in this section during prayer time, otherwise, they are free to be in the men's section.