Hagia Sophia Istanbul is one of the most important tourist attractions in Turkey, this essay will be the best guide about Hagia Sophia Istanbul facts, Hagia Sophia Istanbul history, Hagia Sophia Istanbul ticket price, Hagia Sophia Istanbul hours and Hagia Sophia Istanbul architecture.
With 3-3.5 million visitors annually, this makes Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul Turkey in the top of the list for the international tourists.
This high number of visits to Hagia Sophia mansions Istanbul is due to the big interest from tourists to Hagia Sophia Istanbul history.
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Facts about Hagia Sophia Istanbul History
Hagia Sophia Church Istanbul served as a church for Christians for 1,000 years and for 500 years as Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul Turkey for Muslims, and it became a mosque again in 2020.
This means that Hagia Sophia museum Istanbul has been a place of worship for Christians and Muslim believers for more than 1500 years and has honored both religions with its glory.
And about Hagia Sophia Istanbul history, after the suppression of the revolt, Emperor Justinian decided to build a new church that would be the center of Christianity in the world.
He invited two engineers, Anthemius of Tralles and İsidore of Miletos, to design Hagia Sophia Church Istanbul.
Statics about Hagia Sophia Istanbul history show that, there are other 10,000 people worked on the construction of Hagia Sophia Church Istanbul.
At that time, there were many churches with huge domes in western Rome and the European Christian world, but Hagia Sophia mansions Istanbul was the first in the east and the largest of all the churches in the world.
It remained that way until the establishment of St. Paul’s Church in London, and Rome, and the Duomo in Milan.
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Hagia Sophia Istanbul Facts
All you want to know about Hagia Sophia Istanbul facts in details:
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Hagia Sophia Church Istanbul was destroyed and rebuilt more than 8 times
After its destruction in 404, Hagia Sophia Church Istanbul was rebuilt as the Church of Theodosius II in 415. Unfortunately, that church also burned down in a fire in 532.
After that, the building was destroyed and rebuilt because of multiple earthquakes. Hagia Sophia Istanbul is actually built on a fault line, making it more prone to earthquakes.
Also, many natural disasters and earthquakes in 553, 557, 558, 869, 989 and 1344 led to severe damage to Hagia Sophia Museum Istanbul.
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Hagia Sophia Istanbul was a Roman Catholic church and cathedral before it became a mosque
This is one of Hagia Sophia Istanbul facts that interest many people around the world.
The original inside Hagia Sophia Istanbul was a church, but it was converted into a Roman Catholic cathedral while Constantinople was occupied by the Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade, and Hagia Sophia Istanbul was converted again into an Eastern Orthodox church in 1261.
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It was converted into Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul Turkey in the fifteenth century
After the Ottoman invasion in 1481, Sultan Mehmed II announced that the inside Hagia Sophia Istanbul architecture would be converted from a church to a mosque.
This conversion occurred through the centuries starting with minarets, and building madrasas “religious schools” within Hagia Sophia Mansions Istanbul.
One of Hagia Sophia Istanbul facts in 1847 is that during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid, they added the iconic giant circular discs, which you can still see to this day in Hagia Sophia Museum Istanbul.
The discs are engraved with the names of God, Muhammad -Peace be upon him-, the first four caliphs, and two of the Prophet’s grandsons Hassan and Hussein.
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Important tips when visiting Hagia Sophia Istanbul
If you are a first-time visitor to Hagia Sophia museum Istanbul, the following tips about Hagia Sophia Istanbul ticket price, Hagia Sophia Istanbul hours, and Hagia Sophia mansions Istanbul, will be useful to you:
- Its doors remain open to visitors and locals of all backgrounds and faiths to keep visiting Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul Turkey.
- Because Hagia Sophia Istanbul is a mosque, there is no Hagia Sophia Istanbul ticket price, but there is an option to donate if you are interested.
- As for Hagia sophia Istanbul hours, although you are allowed to visit during prayer times, we advise you to try to find a time when it is not a prayer time, as you will be able to move around more freely.
- As in every mosque, take off your shoes before entering and wear long trousers, while for women, shoulders and head must be covered and you can find free hijab inside Hagia Sophia Istanbul if you do not wear a one.
- It is allowed to take some photos and videos inside Hagia Sophia Istanbul architecture.
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How to reach Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul Turkey?
You must first come to Sultanahmet, which is the heart of the old city of Istanbul, and the popular name of the old city of Istanbul is “Fatih”, so you will see the historical peninsula of Istanbul with the name of “Fatih” on maps.
You can come to Sultanahmet area in Fatih by tram, it is very centrally located and easily accessible from Taksim, Karakoy, Galata, Sirkeci or Eminonu and this is the location where the popular hotels are located.
The most convenient way of public transportation in Istanbul to go to Hagia Sophia Istanbul is the tram, and if you leave the tram at Sultanahmet Tram Station, you can easily walk to Hagia Sophia Istanbul which is only a five-minute walk from there.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hagia Sophia Istanbul
What is the Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia is one of the most important tourist attractions in Turkey. It served as a church for Christians for 1,000 years and as a mosque for 500 years for Muslims, and it became a mosque again in 2020.
Who built the Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia was built by Constantine I in 325, but it was destroyed and rebuilt more than 8 times.
When was the Hagia Sophia built?
Hagia Sophia was built by Constantine I in 325, and it was built as a Christian church between (532–537).
Where is Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia is located on the European side of Istanbul in the old town (Sultanahmet area).
What does Hagia Sophia mean?
Hagia Sophia means Holy Wisdom, and it is a historical monument built in Constantinople (now Turkey).
Why is the Hagia Sophia architecturally significant?
Hagia Sophia is a significant example of Byzantine architecture, it has been a place of worship for Christians and Muslim believers for more than 1500 years and has honored both religions with its glory.
Is Hagia Sophia the Blue Mosque?
No, Hagia Sophia is different from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), but both buildings were built during the Ottoman Empire.
Can you pray in Hagia Sophia?
Yes, Hagia Sophia is now served as a mosque for Muslims, and they can pray whenever they want. Hagia Sophia will remain a place of worship for all faiths.
What was the Hagia Sophia built for?
Hagia Sophia was built as a Christian cathedral, and it was converted into a mosque in 1481 by Sultan Mehmed II.
Who ordered the construction of the Hagia Sophia?
The construction of Hagia Sophia was ordered by Constantine I in 325.
Why does the Suleymaniye Mosque look like the Hagia Sophia?
When building the Suleymaniye Mosque, Architect Sinan took his inspiration of design from the Hagia Sophia in order to emulate the Byzantine model and improve it.
What does Hagia Sophia mean in Greek?
Hagia Sophia means in Greek the Holy Wisdom.
How old is Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia is an old marvel that was built as a Christian church between (532–537).
What design feature of the Hagia Sophia was considered daring?
The daring design feature was the main dome that encircled by forty large windows.
Is Hagia Sophia a mosque?
Hagia Sophia served as a church for Christians for 1,000 years and as a mosque for 500 years for Muslims, and it became a mosque again in 2020.
Is Hagia Sophia a wonder of the world?
Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest examples of the Byzantine architecture, and it has been called the eighth wonder of the world.
How tall is Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia is 180 ft, and its dome is 108 ft.
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