Hagia Sophia visitor guide: history, mosaics and how to visit

A short history of Hagia Sophia

The building we see today was commissioned by Emperor Justinian I between 532 and 537, after two earlier churches on the same site were destroyed by fire. Its 55-metre-high dome, designed by the mathematician-architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, covered the largest enclosed space in the world for almost a thousand years.

After conquering Istanbul in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque; the minarets, mihrab, minbar and large calligraphic roundels were added over the following centuries. The building became a museum by cabinet decree in 1934 and reopened for worship as a mosque in 2020. Since 1985 Hagia Sophia has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Historic Areas of Istanbul”.

What to see inside Hagia Sophia

• The main dome and calligraphic roundels: The giant roundels by Kazasker Mustafa İzzet Efendi, bearing the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, the four caliphs and Hasan and Husayn, are among the largest calligraphy panels in the world.
• The gallery mosaics: The Deësis mosaic in the upper gallery (Christ, Mary and John the Baptist) is one of the most famous works of Byzantine art; the mosaics with imperial portraits are in the gallery too.
• The marble jars and the weeping column: The marble jars said to have been brought from Pergamon and the “weeping column” associated with wishes are the details visitors ask about most.
• The sultans’ tombs: To the south of the courtyard are the tombs of Selim II, Murad III and Mehmed III and the tomb of the princes.

How visits work: who enters where?

Because Hagia Sophia is a working mosque, the ground floor is reserved for worshippers. Since 15 January 2024, foreign visitors buy a ticket at a separate entrance, go up to the upper galleries and view the main space from above; Turkish citizens and anyone who wishes to pray enter free through the main doors. Women are expected to cover their hair and everyone to cover shoulders and knees; coverings are handed out at the entrance. To plan around prayer times, see our guide to planning your day around prayer times.

Hagia Sophia with children

The most impressive moment for children is when they first step under the dome; pointing out how the dome seems to “float in the air” and watching the light pour through the windows makes even a short visit memorable. The queue can get long, especially around midday; going early in the morning and then taking a break in Sultanahmet Park opposite is a good plan. We explain what to keep in mind when visiting a mosque with children in our visiting a mosque with children guide.

Visiting tips

• The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia face each other; you can see both in the same morning with a break in Sultanahmet Park in between.
• The Basilica Cistern is right opposite Hagia Sophia; going into the cistern first, when its queue is short, saves time.
• Shoes come off when you enter the mosque; easy slip-on shoes and socks make things simpler with children.
• The best photo of Hagia Sophia is taken in the late afternoon from beside the fountain in Sultanahmet Park.