Attractions
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)
Hagia Sophia, the enormous iconic structure that looms over Istanbul, is one of the city’s must-see attractions and one of the greatest relics of the Byzantine Era. Known for its giant ochre-coloured dome, beautiful mosaics and frescoes and impressive architecture, the Hagia Sophia was built as a cathedral in the 6th century and remained an important Christian church for more than 900 years. When Mehmet II conquered the city in the 15th century, the church was transformed into a mosque. They added minarets and fountains and the mosque operated for the next 481 years. Now it is a museum, since the secular Turkish Republic began in 1934. Walk through the museum and see evidence of all stages of the building’s existence, such as marble columns, Byzantine mosaics and Islamic calligraphy inscriptions on the dome.
Address: Sultanahmet Square.
Telephone: (212) 522 0989 or (212) 522 1750.
Getting There: Sultanahmet tram stop.
Hours of Operation: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am–5pm. Closed Monday.
Admission: 20 YTL.
