Used as the Imperial Church of Eastern Rome, Hagia Sophia was destroyed many times by rebellions, wars and natural disasters throughout history. Hagia Sophia suffered one of its greatest destructions in 1204 when the city was overrun during the 4th Crusade.
A fire started during the tumult of the Nika Revolt, which had begun nearby in the Hippodrome of Constantinople, and the second Hagia Sophia was burnt to the ground on 13–14 January 532.
Mainstone, part of the first dome collapsed on May 7, 558, after an earthquake in September 557. The dome was entirely rebuilt. It then partially collapsed two more times, on October 26, 989, and May 19, 1346.
The main reason for Erdogan's conversion of the Hagia Sofia was his desire to arouse Muslim passions for populist purposes in an Arab-Islamic world longing for a fresh awakening. This was another move in Turkey's competition with Saudi Arabia for hegemony over the Sunni Muslim world.
Foreign nationality Muslims should enter the mosque's praying area from main gate which is at Hagia Sophia Square (Ayasofya Meydanı) before prayer times for pray salah. Please kindly note that praying area of the mosque is closed to visit for daily cleaning and maintenance purposes from morning prayer untill 10:00 AM.
Why Hagia Sophia is So Important? The Whole History is Explained
Can Jews visit Hagia Sophia?
In any case, and to the surprise of many, she kept her name(Ayasofia, in Turkish), since in reality the term Saint Sophia did not refer to any Christian saint, but to the Divine Wisdom (which is its translation from Greek). So if you want to visit Hagia Sophia, you can do it whatever your creed.
Admission Fee: The first floor is free for Turks; the second floor (the gallery floor) is 25 euros for local and foreign tourists. Explore during the winter months: Plan your visit during the winter months to explore Hagia Sophia in comfort and avoid crowds and large groups of tourists.
Hagia Sophia, which belongs to the Abu al-Fath Sultan Mehmed Foundation (today the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Khan Foundation), and has the status of fused foundation (which has no administrator and trustees today) is an immovable charity property that should be used as a mosque in accordance with its foundation.
The tombs of five Ottoman Sultans are located within the grounds of the Hagia Sophia Museum. They are: Sultan Selim II, Sultan Murad III, Sultan Mehmed III, Sultan Mustafa I, and Sultan Ibrahim I.
The Hagia Sophia represents religious and cultural harmony since it serves as a place of pilgrimage for Christians, Muslims, and people of other religions.
The Hagia Sophia (Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, Holy Wisdom) is a church located in Thessaloniki, Greece. With its current structure dating from the 7th century, it is one of the oldest churches in the city still standing today.
Hagia Sophia, an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul and one of the world's great monuments. It was built as a Christian church in the 6th century ce (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again.
Hagia Sophia has a long history with earthquakes. Its original dome collapsed in 558, just 21 years after the church's completion, and had to be completely rebuilt. Earthquakes also caused damage in 989 and 1346.
Following the Ottoman conquest of Anatolia, virtually all of the churches of Istanbul were converted into mosques except the Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols.
Although “Hagia Sophia” sounds as if it was named for a Christian saint, it actually means “Holy Wisdom” in Greek. After conquering Constantinople, the young sultan — he was only 21 — performed his first Friday prayer here, starting a tradition for all subsequent sultans of the Ottoman Empire.
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Blue Mosque. What are the Blue Mosque's opening hours? The mosque is open to visitors throughout the day. We recommend visiting between 9 am to 6 pm, except during Blue Mosque prayer times, when the mosque is closed to non-worshippers.
This was seen as a political move by Erdogan. "Erdogan wants to use Hagia Sophia's conversion into a mosque to rally his right-wing base," Soner Cagaptay, the author of Erdogan's Empire, told Arab Weekly at the time.
"Do worshippers also have to purchase tickets? Muslim worshippers can still enter Hagia Sophia for free during prayer times. Only foreign sightseers are subject to the new ticket fees. "
The underground tunnels covered the city of Constantinople. The huge cistern that a galley may sail was beneath earth. The tunnels under Hagia Sophia were reaching to Crypto rooms and the rooms for secret writings. The treasures were hidden beneath Hagia Sophia due to the sieges.
Built in 537 A.D., the Hagia Sophia stood as the premier cathedral of the Byzantine Empire until 1453, when Ottoman forces under Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople and turned the cathedral into a mosque. A few years later, Mehmed endowed it as an Islamic charitable trust.
Why is the Sultanahmet Mosque called the Blue Mosque? The Sultanahmet Mosque is called the Blue Mosque due to the iconic, 20,000 handmade blue tiles adorning its interior. The upper levels are also painted blue to complement the tile decor.
The Blue Mosque offers free entry to all visitors. If you're a worshipper, you can use the main entrance on the north side facing the Hippodrome. If you're a non-worshipper, you can use the entrance on the south side of the mosque or the one opposite Hagia Sophia.
