Brief History:

Hagia Sophia Mosque - Istanbul In Turkey, is one of the most famous and important sites in Turkey. Originally constructed as a Greek Orthodox Christian basilica in 537 AD, it served as a church for 900 years until 1453, when the city of Constantinople, now Istanbul, fell to Ottoman Turk invader, Mehmet the Conqueror. In 1453, the Basilica was converted to a mosque, and over the centuries it was renovated several times, most notably by the Ottoman Sultan, Ahmed III, who converted the Central Dome to an Islamic mosque with four minarets in 1717. The mosque served as an important place of worship for the Muslim community until 1934, when the government of the Turkish Republic converted it into a secular museum, recognizing its status as a world-renowned architectural wonder. It remains an important symbol of Turkish identity and culture, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul. It is one of the most famous mosque in Turkey which you must visit.

Architecture:

The Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, is considered to be one of the most impressive architectural feats of the Byzantine period. The mosque was first constructed in 537 AD, on the orders of the Roman Emperor Justinian, as a Greek Orthodox Church. The original building was destroyed in a fire in 558 and was then rebuilt and expanded by Justinian's successor, Emperor Phocas, and then restored and expanded by Justinian's nephew Theophilus in the 9th century. The final form of the Hagia Sophia was completed in 532. The building is constructed as a large central domed space surrounded by four subsidiary domes on each corner. The interior is intricately decorated with a mix of Byzantine Christian and Islamic art with marbles and mosaics. The exterior of the Hagia Sophia is equally as impressive as the interior. It features four minarets, two of which are located on the corners of the court and two on the upper gallery. Entrances to the mosque are located on either side of the building and feature two large stone doorways bounded by four stone columns and two free-standing columns. The exterior is covered in thousands of small golden domes, minarets, and cupolas and was once crowned with an enormous 22 m high dome. The architecture of the building is a fusion of the Early Christian and Muslim styles. The Byzantine style is present in the building's domed shape and Christian artwork, while the external decorations, from the spiral patterns around the domes to the geometric designs and Islamic inscriptions on the spandrel panels, are all a testament to the Islamic artisans who finished the mosque. The Hagia Sophia Mosque continues to be an important landmark in Istanbul. It is both an important pilgrimage place for Orthodox Christians and a popular tourist attraction. This remarkable monument continues to be the source of beauty and wonder for all visitors to Istanbul. This is why, it is considered one of the most beautiful mosque in the world.

Visiting Hours:

The Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul is open to visitors from 09:00 am to 5:00 pm, timed ticketing applies. The mosque is open every day expect Monday. The closing times of the mosque may vary based on the season. best mosque in the world.

Travel Information:

Address: Ayasofya Meydanı, Sultanahmet, Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Train: The nearest train station is Sirkeci, located 1.4 miles from the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Bus: Bus routes that run close to the monument are E2, E3, E7, F2, F3, F4, F7, and EB2. Taxi: Taxis are available from most areas in Istanbul and offer a convenient way of reaching the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Airport: The closest airport to the Hagia Sophia Mosque is Istanbul Ataturk Airport, located 10.6 miles away. beautiful masjid.