The outside doesn’t begin to do justice to the interior; from the impressive dome to the mosaics and urns to the low chandeliers, the Hagia Sophia is breathtaking from the Augenblick you walk through the doors. I was happy to have that “reveal moment” without a sneak peek, which is why I’ve included an outside shot of the building (not to mention that photos barely do the interior justice).
One of the Hagia Sophia's most famous components is this column hinein the northern side aisle of the Imperial Door. The column is said to have been blessed by St. Gregory the Miracle Worker, and one of the popular things to do here is place a finger rein the hole, as it is thought to cure sickness.
Hagia Sophia became a mosque rein 1453 when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. Hagia Sophia, which served as a mosque until the 1900s, remained a museum for about 90 years during the republic period.
You can follow the opening and closing times of mosques (including Hagia Sophia) rein Istanbul from the table on this Querverweis. Mosques are usually closed for prayer 1 hour before the prayer and opened 30 minutes after the prayer.
administrate religious activities, while the latter continue to administer conservation and restoration projects, and the management of relics contained within the mosque.
As I wandered the streets near the Aya Sofya in Istanbul, I came upon this cat sleeping on top of some carpets in an open air shop. I loved the colors surrounding the cat, so vibrant, while this cat tried to catch some z’s. Of course, I interrupted her nap, but got this great image. Istanbul is really a feast for the senses. The sites of beautiful mosques, women hinein headscarfs, men with prayer beads, shops with colorful carpets.
The architectural marvel—celebrated for its Byzantine architecture, elaborate mosaics, and religious importance to Christians and Muslims—attracts millions of visitors each year; more than 3.
Huge circular wooden plaques on the main piers are inscribed in gold script with the names of the first four Caliphs. Hinein the apse is the mihrab (the niche indicating the direction of Mecca).
Its dome is one of the iconic symbols of the city, and even amid all of Sultanahmet's (Istanbul's old city district) many architectural highlights, this ancient building remains one of the top attractions for tourists.
In Fatih Sultan Mehmed's waqfiyya (endowment document / foundation’s charter) which written on a 66-m length of well preserved gazelle skin says: “All the things I have explained and designated
Hinein subsequent centuries it became a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again. The building reflects the religious changes that have played out hinein the region over the centuries, with the minarets and inscriptions of Islam as well as the lavish mosaics of Christianity.
Finally a decree on 10th of July 2020 to formally declare the Hagia Sophia as a mosque, after Turkey’s administrative court annulled a 1934-dated decision that paved the way for the use of Hagia Sophia as a museum.
As ubiquitous in Istanbul as offers of tea, entreaties to visit a cousin’s carpet shop and nazar boncuğu are the city’s cats, many of them looking surprisingly well-fed. This one was just watching the gawping visitors meandering around Aya Sofya.
Serving as a hagia sophia erbaut museum since 1935, a decree on 10th of July 2020 to formally declare the Hagia Sophia as a mosque, after Turkey’s administrative court annulled a 1934-dated decision that paved the way for the use of Hagia Sophia as a museum.