Hagia Sophia

Address: Sultanahmet Square

City: Istanbul

Website: https://www.hagiasophia.com

Information

The Hagia Sophia is of great architectural beauty and an important monument for both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires . First a church , later a mosque , and now a museum in Istanbul , the Hagia Sophia has always been precious for its time .

The mystical city of Istanbul ( formerly Constantinople ) has been host to many civilizations since centuries , of which Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire ares the most famous. The city today carries the characteristics of these two different cultures and Hagia Sophia is a perfect synthesis where one can observe both Ottoman and Byzantium effects under the great dome

When a western visitor wanted to visit the Hagia Sophia during the Fossati restoration they needed a ferryman ', a special permit from the Sultan , which were difficult to obtain.

During the restoration, the travelers got a chance to see the work. In 1934, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, ordered the Hagia Sophia to be transformed to a museum.

Uncovering mosaics had already begun in 1931 under the leadership of Thomas Whittemore . This time the white plaster stones were pulled off the mosaics , the rugs on the floor and removed the original marble décor could be seen . , For the first time in centuries The museum opened on February 1, 1935 .

The Hagia Sophia is an impressive building that should not be missing on the todo list for each trip or to visit Istanbul , Turkey .

Hagia Sophia on the map of Istanbul