Istanbul, Istanbul, Marmara, Turkey
Mosque · Byzantine / Ottoman · 6th Century
Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) is a Late Antique place of worship in Istanbul. Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire) and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque.
Construction: 532 – 537
Founder: Emperor Justinian I
Key figures: Isidore of Miletus, Anthemius of Tralles, Sultan Mehmed II
Significance: A masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that served as a cathedral, mosque, museum, and again as a mosque.
- 537: Completed as a cathedral
- 1453: Converted into a mosque by Mehmed II
- 1935: Converted into a museum
- 2020: Reconverted into a mosque
Architectural styles: Byzantine, Ottoman
Architects: Isidore of Miletus, Anthemius of Tralles, Mimar Sinan (Restorations)
Materials: Brick, Marble, Mosaic
- Massive Dome: One of the largest domes in the world, appearing to float.
- Mosaics: Stunning Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy.
- Minarets: Four minarets added by the Ottomans.
Opening hours: 24 Hours (summer) · 24 Hours (winter) – Active mosque. Closed during prayer times for tourists.
- Foreign Tourists: €25.00
Accessibility: Accessible.
Official site: http://ayasofyacamii.gov.tr
Address: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Coordinates: 41.0086, 28.9802