Hagia Sophia In Istanbul, Turkey That Must Be On Your Itinerary In 2021

Posted by Turkey visa online on October 26th, 2021

The Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul, Turkey, is full of beautiful architecture, history, and food. Still, the Hagia Sophia museum particularly stood out to me on my visit to this city.

If you\'re ever in this region of the world, you must see this magnificent 1,500-year-old Byzantine church/cathedral-turned-mosque.

The church, located in Istanbul\'s old quarter, is easy to reach from any city area. This piece of content will show you how to apply for a turkey e visa online and get there as well as anything else you need to know before there!

History: What Is The Hagia Sophia?

The Hagia Sophia church was built in 537 AD when Istanbul (then known as Constantinople) was the ancient Byzantine Empire\'s capital.

Hagia Sophia was an engineering wonder at the time, and it was the world\'s largest structure for a period. For approximately 1,000 years, it was the world\'s biggest church.

The Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453, and the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.

Most of the structure was saved, and Atatürk, the Republic of Turkey\'s founder, converted the mosque into a secular museum in 1935.

The Hagia Sophia museum is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting more than 3 million tourists each year.

Visiting The Hagia Sophia

It\'s a good idea to go around the outside of the Hagia Sophia before going inside to get a closer view of the massive dome, buttresses, and minarets.

The scale of these structures is enormous, and one of the most incredible places to photograph them is near Sultanahmet Square\'s fountain.

The Sultans\' Tombs, a series of three smaller domed structures with elaborate Islamic themes and writing, are also located on the Hagia Sophia grounds.

Inside The Hagia Sophia

It\'s an incredible sensation when you first foot inside this massive structure and walk through the same halls as Emperors and Sultans from ages before.

The ambience is fantastic, and you feel as if you\'ve travelled back in time, surrounded by ancient history.

After touring the first-level halls, make your way to the second floor, where you\'ll see beautiful golden mosaics of Biblical themes and people that are primarily intact from medieval times.

You may also get a better look at the intricate domed ceilings from this vantage point.

Ticket Prices & Operating Hours

The Hagia Sophia is relatively easy to get into.

If you\'d like to have everything explained to you as you go, you may hire a guide at the entrance, although it\'s not required.

The ticket queue is pretty painless and moves quickly, and then you\'ll be on your way.

60 (.20 USD) for adults

Children under the age of nine are free.

Summer Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (April 15 to October 31)

Winter Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (November 1 – April 15)

One hour before closure, the last admission time is allowed.

Location – Where Is Hagia Sophia?

The structure is located in Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul\'s old historic area.

The Hagia Sophia is around 30 miles from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), which appears to be used by many international flights into Istanbul (45 km).

You can travel to the Hagia Sophia via cab or Uber. Still, it\'s cheaper (and almost as quick) to take the HAVABÜS shuttle bus from the airport to Taksim Square and then take an Uber from Taksim to Sultanahmet for the remaining short distance.

It is sincerely recommended that you visit the nearby Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace when visiting the Sophia!

The Sophia is about a 5-minute walk away from these attractions.

When Is The Best Time To Visit?

The climate of Istanbul is the Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild, rainy winters.

The inside of the Hagia Sophia is neither heated nor air-conditioned to feel a little hot in the summer or winter.

The ideal time to visit is perhaps in the spring or fall when the weather is pleasant. Istanbul does not experience extreme temperatures in any season, so most months are suitable for a visit.

Any continuing development is something you\'ll want to keep an eye on. Scaffolding may be seen in your images since the Hagia Sophia is constantly repaired and preserved.

There is some construction on the interior but nothing significant on the outside as of this publishing. It\'s a fantastic time to go!

Suppose you are planning to visit Hagia Sophia. First, apply for a turkey visa online, pack your bags to Turkey right away!