Hagia Sofia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument, both Byzantine and Ottoman. The museum has always been a precious part of his time.

Hagia Sophia (meaning "Divine Wisdom") is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque (May 29, 1453 to 1931), and now a museum (February 1, 1935 - present) in Istanbul, Turkey. It is called St. Sophia in Greek, Hagia Sophia in Latin, Ayasofya in Turkish, was built at the site of the acropolis of Byzantium by Emperor Justinian (527-65 AD) in 537.

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is universally recognized as one of the great buildings of the world. Hagia Sofia was chosen World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

Fast Facts

Site Information
Names: Hagia Sophia; Aya Sofya; Ayasofya; St. Sophia; Church of Holy Wisdom
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Faiths: Original/Primary: Christianity
Current/Secondary: Islam

Denomination: Greek Orthodox
Dedication: Holy Wisdom
Categories: Cathedrals; Mosques; World Heritage Sites
Architecture: Byzantine
Date: 532-537
Patron(s): Justinian
Architect: Isidore of Miletus; Anthemius of Tralles
Size: Width: 230 ft (70 m)
Height: 246 ft (75 m)

Dome diameter: 102 ft (31 m)

Features: Byzantine Mosaics
Status: Museum
Visitor Information
Address: Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Istanbul, Turkey.
Coordinates: 41.008548° N, 28.979938° E (view on Google Maps)
Phone: +90 (212) 522 1750, 522 0989
Public transport: Tram: Sultanahmet
Opening hours: 9am-4:30pm (except on mondays)

The museum is open between 09:00 – 16:30 except on Mondays, with longer opening hours during the summer months.

Admission Fee : 20 TL (around $13 / GBP 8 )

Contact Information:

Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya Müzesi)

Address: Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Istanbul, Turkey.
Tel: +90 (212) 522 1750, 522 0989
Fax: +90 (212) 512 5474