Hagia Sophia

Aya Sofya

The third and grandest of the churches on this site, completed in 537 AD. The 30-m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world, only surpassed in 1520 by Seville cathedral. It used "pendentive" architecture to throw the dome's weight onto four stout pillars, a design that inspired many Eastern Orthodox churches and Ottoman mosques. It became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, remaining so until 1931. It was then a museum until 2020 when it was again proclaimed a mosque. That means you must work around prayer times and dress appropriately. Very cheap disposable headscarves are available for purchase outside the building.

• Heritage listed
• Wheelchair accessible

• history
• museum

Address

Ayasofya Meydanı

Getting there

Sultanahmet 300 m

Hours

24 hours

Price

Adult €25

Phone

+90 212 522 1750

Website

ayasofyacamii.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)