Throughout its various incarnations as a church, an Orthodox cathedral, a mosque, and a museum, this magnificent structure has dominated Istanbul's skyline.
Over the centuries Hagia Sophia has been a place of great religious and cultural significance for several different faiths and peoples, and is Istanbul's best known landmark. One of the architectural wonders of the world, for hundreds of years it was also the world's largest church.Its Turkish name, Ayasofya, means Sacred Wisdom, and it was built as a Christian church in 360 AD by the Romans. It then became the main place of worship for Constantinople's Christian population before it was destroyed completely during riots on two separate occasions. Hagia Sophia as we know it today was rebuilt in the 6th century, and was the epicentre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity until Constantinople fell to the Ottomans in 1453.Under Ottoman rule, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque and its Christian characteristics were disguised or removed and replaced with new Islamic features. Its latest incarnation came about following the establishment of the Turkish Republic, when the mosque was closed and the monument was opened as a museum.Now, with its enormous central dome and four splendid minarets, it attracts visitors from all over the world. This can lead to long queues, but it rarely takes more than 30 minutes to get inside. Access to the narthex is via one of five portals leading from the exonarthex on the western side. Once inside you can admire the intricate inscriptions from the Quran on the central dome. Note too the beautiful 9th-century Christian mosaics and 10th-century frescos. Enjoy the lush gardens in the grounds to the east of the Hagia Sophia and visit the mausoleums of several sultans, before relaxing at one of the many cafés in the square.Hagia Sophia is open every day except Monday and closes later in the summer. The easiest way to get here is to take public transport into the Old City. You can buy your ticket at the museum ticket office, where you can also rent an audio guide to learn more about the significance of this world-famous monument.
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