Hagia Sophia Mosque
467 reviews
November 10
Very unpleasant staff! We went as a group of 10 adults and we were followed by a lady from the security, who was picking on absolutely everything: we were looking at the wrong way and standing in the wrong place, we were asked to move, while in the same aisle there was a huge group with a guide. And so the whole tour we were harassed, criticised and pressed. We were covered, did not break the rules, behaved culturally and talked quietly. In the end, the lady called the head of security, and then we couldn't stand it and got indignant. The lady was never able to explain what rules we had broken and what she didn't like. After paying 25 euros we were subjected to reprisals. This is not hospitable and absolutely inappropriate! Shame on you, security staff. Don't overstep your authority by hating people based on nationality or religion.
August 19
So dangerous to be there. There are a lot of street sellers and pickpockets around.
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November 13
A stunning cathedral, everything is very majestic inside, just a huge space that you want to consider. In 1453, the Ottoman troops who entered Constantinople looted St. Sophia Cathedral, then it was still Christian. But it was not completely destroyed, but converted into a mosque and named Aya‑Sophia. At the entrance to the mosque, shoes must be removed, there are special storage boxes. If possible, be sure to visit this legendary building, which is the greatest symbol of Istanbul.
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October 17
A unique place. The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is an outstanding monument of Byzantine and world architecture, a symbol of the "golden age" of Byzantium, which is sometimes called the "eighth wonder of the world". In 2020, by decision of the State Council of Turkey, it has the status of a mosque, while the second floor is still a museum. The entrance to the cathedral costs 25 euros. A truly historical architectural monument that united Muslims and Orthodox under its arches. I definitely recommend that you familiarize yourself with the history of this amazing place before visiting, then you will not need a guide. Thank you for your time!
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July 2
A place that is definitely worth visiting in Istanbul is to pay tribute to history and antiquity. The temple is more than 15 centuries old, the basilica-mosque-museum-mosque/museum has been rebuilt several times. It is located in the Sultanahmet district in the center opposite the Blue Mosque. There is a long queue constantly crowding the square in front of the main entrance - this is a queue for free admission for believers (and masquerading as believers). The ticket offices and the entrance for tourists are on the right side of the mosque from the side of the Bosphorus. Believers enter the lower part of the building, and tourists enter the upper galleries around the perimeter. It seemed to me more interesting to look at the beauty from above - more general plans, closer you can see mosaics, angels (only one of them has a face open), a general panorama of the cathedral, chandeliers, inscriptions, etc. Quite an adequate audio guide (included in the ticket price), but it is better, of course, to read in advance about the history of this miracle of Constantinople and already absorb the spirit of the times here. Together with the mosque itself, it is offered to visit the St. Peter's Museum for an additional fee.Sofia, which is located in the park opposite the Blue Mosque (walk 300 meters from Hagia Sophia). It is more interesting for children to move from hall to hall in small groups, accompanied by an audio guide and interactive paintings on the walls of the halls telling about the history of St. Sophia from the beginning of time to the present day.
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July 13
We were impressed. The landmark was built 3 times. In Byzantine times it was a church, now it is a mosque. For full understanding, I recommend visiting the Hagia Sophia Museum as well. It's beautiful, interesting, and informative. You can pay in euros or in lira. The mosque has a dress code: women's heads must be covered, a long skirt or dress. I recommend.
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July 5
The Hagia Sophia Mosque is an absolute cultural must-have! In June 2024, it was just soulful inside: stunning architecture, the spirit of history at every step. The mosaics and the colossal dome structure were especially impressive. Definitely worth a visit if you are planning a tour of Istanbul — an incomparable experience!
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October 20
My favorite place in Istanbul. A beautiful historical monument. Both as a mosque and as a temple, this is a very sacred place. There is always a feeling of peace and love in the heart, regardless of religion
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August 25
a beautiful mosque combining elements of the Byzantine Empire and elements of a Muslim mosque. A wonderful world and historical monument, truly legendary. The museum is also striking (a truly spectacular story about historical events related to the mosque), the entrance to which is attached when buying a pass to the mosque itself
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September 2
The entrance to the museum is expensive, but worth a visit. The mosque itself is gorgeous, the history is in every centimeter, I did not like the museum: it is small, the tour is for fifth graders, but there are interesting exhibits of ancient Kapan, ancient icons. It is convenient that there is an audio guide in both the mosque and the museum.
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June 9
Well, how can you be in Istanbul and not visit St. Sophia! Living history! Yes, they are allowed only on the 2nd floor; yes, many mosaics are curtained. But what amazing sensations arise when you feel the spirit of the centuries! Ideally, it is better to come to the opening, then the queue is smaller. Or buy a ticket in advance (via Satellite, for example) - then you will pass without queuing at all. Yes, it's not cheap, but how can you not visit it?!
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November 13
This is one of the main attractions of Istanbul! A very beautiful mosque, breathtaking! I definitely recommend everyone to visit!!! You have to be there to feel all the greatness and beauty!
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November 12
It's just a delight, for lovers of objects with a long history, it's a must-visit, the scale of construction is simply impressive! A huge vault! The place is really sacred, although lost to Christians, some of the frescoes were opened to tourists
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November 12
Entrance is paid. There is a ticket for only this one mosque, there is a little more expensive, but to several locations and with an audio guide. They check at the ticket offices next to the entrance to the mosque. There are cashiers who can explain it quite well in Russian. There was no queue just before the opening. I don't remember the time. But the queues are moving fast. The males are not allowed in the mosque, go straight upstairs to the balconies. From there, you can see a little below. There are signs with explanations, we translated with an online translator. It's a nice translation, but mostly understandable. I recommend it at any time of the year.
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July 29
I have long dreamed of visiting Hagia Sophia. Back when it was a museum. But, as they say, I did not have time. On my visit to Istanbul this year in May, I was lucky and there was practically no queue (I arrived at 10 o'clock in the morning). The sight is certainly exciting. The power and grandeur of the structure are felt. And the idea that Prince Vladimir visited this place before the baptism of Russia and now you are also involved with this place simply does not fit into your head. Although now you can only visit the upper galleries, undoubtedly this place is worth a visit. Byzantine mosaics and Christian images are side by side with surahs from the Koran. All Byzantine mosaics, except those on the ground floor, are available for inspection. The mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ is more difficult to see, it is now covered. But it is quite realistic to consider. Despite the high cost of the ticket, it is necessary to visit this place.
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November 11
It's amazing!!!! after the cathedral, I advise you to go to the Hagia Sophia Museum, the entrance is opposite the German fountain at the hippodrome.
A unique place of its kind , striking to the depths of the soul .
Yes , it 's expensive !!!!! But it's worth it, the fantastic story of the temple and then the mosque.... Through the ages …
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July 17
Be sure to visit this mosque, it is very beautiful and admires with its size, history and decoration. The tour takes place on the 2nd floor, the ticket price is not cheap, there is an interactive guide.
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August 15
Of course, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is an architectural monument that deserves all the stars of the World rating! BUT now tourists cannot enjoy the World Masterpiece to the fullest. The Turkish government has no right to deprive Humanity of this! Therefore, in order to somehow express this feeling of annoyance, I minus the asterisk. Alas...
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July 16
The mosque is gorgeous. It is better to enter it early in the morning, there will be fewer people.
I didn't like the fact that there are security guards at the entrance and they ask you to buy a special robe and a handkerchief, since you are wearing a T-shirt or too beautifully dressed. They make a remark selectively, let someone in shorts and a T-shirt, and buy someone a bathrobe.
I also didn't like the fact that due to the huge flow of people and the fact that it is necessary to take off shoes, the mosque stinks of sweaty smelly socks. Mosque attendants go specially and spray aromatic water, but unfortunately this does not help.
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April 22
The Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul is an amazing historical structure, striking in its beauty and grandeur. Inside the temple, you can see stunning mosaics and murals preserved from the time of the Byzantine Empire. The building is surrounded by interesting historical buildings such as an openwork fountain and tombs of the Ottoman rulers. A visit to the Hagia Sophia Mosque leaves an unforgettable impression and allows you to plunge into history.
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January 1
The world-famous St. Sophia. In ancient times, it was a Christian temple, and now it is a functioning mosque and museum. Every tourist who visits Istanbul dreams of visiting there. St. Sophia is located in the center of old Istanbul and is well visible from the central square with dancing fountains. Behind him is the equally famous Blue Mosque. It is also worth visiting (especially after the recent restoration). As a rule, during the high tourist season, there is a long queue for St. Sophia, but it moves quickly and after some 30 minutes you will enjoy the beauty and scope of the structure. The only drawback of waiting in line is the scorching sun (the queue runs through an open area). Therefore, be sure to stock up on umbrellas, so as not to get sunstroke. As a rule, you can take a free umbrella at the exit of the hotels, if you do not have your own. So don't be afraid of queues and enjoy the beauty of Istanbul at any time of the year
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November 4
A dream has come true, the great history of Orthodox Christianity has been touched by a small
hint: tickets for 2 parts are offered at the ticket offices of Hagia Sophia - the museum and the second floor of the cathedral. The museum is 5 minutes from the cathedral. In the cathedral itself, only the second floor is allowed, only Muslims can enter the first floor.
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August 23
A wonderful place, it looks very beautiful and majestic from the outside, even more beautiful in the evening. The interior is even more beautiful, goosebumps, A magnificent mosque
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July 28
Very beautiful! At the entrance you need a developed one, there are shelves for shoes inside. Stunning frescoes, chandeliers, carpets. There is an opportunity to sit and pray. There are quiet corners on the side
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October 24
If you come to Istanbul, then this place is a must-visit! I think this is the same idea that everyone who comes to Istanbul is guided by, because the queues there are quite long. We need to look out for a time when there will be fewer people.
Moreover, it is a little inconvenient that you first have to queue for tickets, and then join the queue at the mosque itself.
By the way, there are two types of tickets: only the upper tier and a ticket to both parts of the mosque. The prices are quite high, as in principle for all the sights of Istanbul.
But it is definitely worth visiting this place to touch one of the most famous cultural monuments!
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May 14
The Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul is a unique architectural structure that impresses with its beauty and grandeur. Built in the sixth century, it was for a long time the main temple of the Byzantine Empire, and then became the mosque of the Ottoman Empire.Today, the mosque is open to both Muslims and tourists. Admission is free, but certain rules must be followed: clothes must be closed, and shoes are left at the entrance.Inside the mosque you can see magnificent mosaics, frescoes and stained glass windows that have survived to the present day. Especially impressive is the huge dome, which seems weightless and floating in the air.The Hagia Sophia Mosque is not just a religious building, it is a symbol of Istanbul's cultural and historical heritage. Visiting this mosque leaves an indelible impression and allows you to better understand the history and culture of Turkey.
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June 27
I love historical monuments, past this is an architectural miracle created in ancient times, magnificent frescoes, a huge amount of marble and granite, polished by the feet and hands of ancient believers, you can find interesting artifacts
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November 15
Monumentally, Vayb was not caught and there are questions about Turkey's discriminatory policy. Why do guests pay more than locals? We didn't decide where to be born or what nationality to be. Why do you even have to pay to enter one of the most important places in the history of your Orthodox religion? I don't think it's fair to close the entrance to the first floor for non-Muslims. According to the rules, Muslims come to pray, but even there some women are not allowed into the common room with their husbands — okay, their business, but the "believers" themselves do not pray, but immediately rush to take pictures. Let either everyone pay and go to the museum, or no one pays and access to the floors will be equal. Otherwise, it is a segregation policy.
On the case: on November 24, admission costs 25€. It is profitable to pay in euros, not lira, if you change it. You can buy a ticket at the ticket office at the entrance to Sofia — there is usually a huge queue there. And you can also go to the ticket office at the museum. It will be a couple of euros more expensive, but without a queue, if you only have a cache. There are two options for visiting at the ticket office: there or "there and back" — this is the cathedral itself or the cathedral + museum. We took the cathedral and the museum. It turned out to be 2 times more expensive for a ticket. For this price, we walked around the top, listened to the audio guide a little — the Wi-Fi is slow, the AR is sluggish. And in the museum you will actually watch a cartoon for 25€. The most interesting exhibit is the archangel mask. In the evening, Sofia is not illuminated from the outside in any way, compared even with simple mosques, which also suggests a disdainful attitude towards the cathedral
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April 24
The Hagia Sophia Mosque is a beautiful and majestic landmark that is worth a visit. Inside the mosque, you can see ancient mosaics and frescoes, as well as enjoy the atmosphere of tranquility and tranquility. Entrance to the mosque is free, but it is necessary to follow certain rules of conduct and dress appropriately.
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October 2
The cathedral is certainly impressive, but standing in line for an hour and paying 25-50 euros for a ticket just to see the big mosque doesn't make much sense (the rest of the mosques are free and not very different)
If the Turkish government had not decided to cover Christian symbols with Islamic banners, maybe there would have been some sense in visiting, but outwardly it makes a much greater impression
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June 19
A masterpiece of Byzantine culture! This beauty is worth a look. Those who visited it were lucky back in the days when everyone was allowed into the lower, main hall. After St. Sophia is declared not only a historical landmark but also a mosque, tourists are allowed only to the upper tier. Well, thank God, it will remain a place for prayer now! Thank you for preserving the Greatest Orthodox Shrine and treating It with care!
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November 3
It captures the imagination! I highly recommend visiting the museum before going to Sofia itself, it is in another building. Interactive, with an audio guide in Russian - very interesting!
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October 13
It's beautiful outside, beautiful inside, no more. According to the Istanbul museum map, you can squeeze through without queuing, the card costs about 10 thousand rubles and gives you the opportunity to visit 12 places, including Sofia. But there is nothing to do here more than once, we looked at the achievements of past people and moved on.
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November 6
There are a lot of mosques in Istanbul. There are more and more beautiful ones. This one is ancient, of course, but there is nothing to look inside for 25 euros, and they will let you only on the second floor with disgusting Internet and headphones for another 5 euros, suitable only for iPhones. Therefore, the advice is: do not throw money away. An inspection from the outside plus other mosques inside will satisfy anyone.
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November 18
In order :
The price is very high
For the mosque (2nd floor) and the museum 48€
The queues are kilometers long
You will wait at least two hours to log in …
The staff are unpleasant .
That is, those who pray on the ground floor are OK, but if you cross yourself in front of the mosaic of Jesus, security flies to you!
They covered the mosaic of the Mother of God with a canvas....
I went only because of the icons, because of the mosaics, and as a result I got a passage for 48 € to the mosque.
I was only pleased with the museum , it was really interesting and modern
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July 3
An iconic place. It's worth a visit. But if you visit on your own, it's better to come for tickets by 9 o'clock, while there is no queue and groups. It's already 10 o'clock.There's a big queue in the morning. They only allow access to the 2nd floor for Christians, the first one was closed. Men are better off in trousers, so as not to buy a cape below the waist, and the female sex in headscarves, you can buy them at the box office.
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November 19
It's an amazing place.
Only Muslims are allowed into the mosque itself now, and tourists need to pay 25 euros for admission. But we were given tickets for 48 euros along with a visit to the Hagia Sophia Museum. On the other hand, the museum is interactive and everything is very well organized, and we did not regret spending this money.
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July 15
It delights with its huge size and, of course, history! There was a queue, it was big, but it was pretty fast. The interior is beautiful, but restoration is required in some places. It is mandatory to visit!
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May 21
To visit Istanbul and not see AveSofia is not to see the heart of the city. It is very unusual: the first floor is a mosque, the second is a Christian temple. Very unusual. It is necessary to get to the second floor and look at it. There is an audio guide inside, you can listen to everything.
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July 17
It is a large building, but only the second floor is available for guests of the country.
Women are not allowed without a headscarf. Men in shorts were allowed in, but it was 30 degrees, maybe they didn't find fault with that. To the left of the cash registers, you can buy synthetic disposable shawls and stoles to cover your head and legs. It's very hot in them, and the room itself is stuffy.
The cathedral (mosque) looks tired, but it is interesting that it became the architectural progenitor of subsequent mosques built nearby - I think it's cool.
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November 5
The mosque is very large. To feel the power of engineering in the 6th century is definitely worth it. The lower floor is now functioning for its intended purpose. The second floor is for tourists. Entrance to the mosque is now paid, 25 euros per person. Queuing for tickets takes longer than visiting the mosque itself. There are a lot of people.
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October 1
For 30 euros, you need to stand in a huge queue in the heat to get inside. And you will agree to this . It may happen that a speculator wakes up who will sell you a ticket for 35 euros immediately, instantly, and you can safely go to the entrance if your knees and head are blocked. If not, you will be offered to buy disposable scarves and rafts. There is a police at the entrance, not to shut you down, but in cases if you are a tourist, then you just won't be allowed anywhere. You will be allowed to enter because you have bought a ticket. There is even a kind of audio guide, 30 - second recordings on YouTube of 6 or 8 pieces. The palace looks huge, but it will take you 15-20 minutes to get around the area that you will be allowed to enter and the signs will very quickly take you back to the street. You will not be able to get to the 1st floor, since there is a mosque for Turks, you will not be allowed to walk in the garden, since you are a tourist and not a Turk . You will be able to go up to the 2nd floor to see that everything is fenced off , you cannot approach the edge of the balcony , and there is nowhere to sit down . All events will take no more than 15 minutes. Even though the castle looks huge .
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July 23
The magnificent historical building of Hagia Sophia. It's a huge mosque, and it's amazing how many centuries ago it was built. Definitely ready to visit. And by the way, the passages to the main hall are "thresholds", they are trampled by feet and have irregularities from friction over the centuries. 10/10
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September 27
The interesting history of this temple is how it turned from a cathedral into a mosque. Located in the heart of historic Istanbul. Attracts a lot of tourists.
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August 29
An unusual place, but now the ground floor is closed to tourists, open only to their own. But Hagia Sophia is still a museum in my understanding, not a mosque. It used to have a special atmosphere, but with innovations it seemed to have lost it. Well, the entrance is very expensive now 1750 lira
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September 3
This is Istanbul. I recommend everyone to go to the Hagia Sophia Museum and learn more about the history of the temple, which is closely related to the history of the city, Constantinople and Istanbul.
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November 16
After Hagia Sophia Cathedral became a mosque again in 2020, the entrance for tourists turned out to be free than in the days when the cathedral was a museum (1935-2020). The cathedral is magnificent, which has been well known for almost fifteen hundred years...
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September 27
An incredible historical building, breathtaking. We were a little disappointed that only Muslims were allowed on the ground floor, but we still had to leave it as a museum. The frescoes on the ceiling are incredible, it's a pity that they are almost covered with canvases (
We were on a weekday, we stood in line for about 15 minutes. The price of an entrance ticket is 25 euros, it is not worth that much money to visit only 2 floors.
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November 5
The cathedral is still being restored from the outside, the square with the fountain is beautiful, bright, green. There are many shops for recreation and fantan is still open, at the end of October!
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September 23
It's a must-visit, it's amazing, but you can go to the mosque for free at the time of the service, 900 lira, if you go to the 2nd floor and see the frescoes
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