Little Hagia Sophia: a Byzantine church older than Hagia Sophia
- Mosques
- Küçük Ayasofya, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Little Hagia Sophia
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Little Hagia Sophia: 1 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Little Hagia Sophia: 2 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Little Hagia Sophia: 3 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Visitor information
| Type | Byzantine church converted into a mosque |
|---|---|
| Built | 527–536 |
| Commissioned by / architect | Emperor Justinian I; converted into a mosque by Hüseyin Ağa, chief of the palace gate (1500s) |
| Neighbourhood | Küçük Ayasofya, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Daily from morning until the night (isha) prayer; visitors are not admitted during prayer times |
| Admission | Free (there is a donation box) |
| Time needed | 20–30 min |
| Getting there | T1 Sultanahmet stop, 10 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 13 min walk (900 m) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Easy with a stroller. The courtyard is level and quiet |
| Best time | In the morning or before the afternoon prayer; the tea garden in the courtyard is lovely in the afternoon |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
Hagia Sophia’s “little sibling”
The Byzantine emperor Justinian I built this church in honour of Sergius and Bacchus, two Roman soldier saints he believed had saved his life before he became emperor. Because its dome, resting on an octagonal plan, looked like a trial run for Hagia Sophia, built a few years later, the Ottomans named the building “Little Hagia Sophia”. On the frieze of the gallery around the interior, the Greek inscription honouring Justinian and his wife Theodora can still be read.
Conversion into a mosque and the building today
The building was converted into a mosque in the reign of Bayezid II by Hüseyin Ağa, chief of the Gate of Felicity; Hüseyin Ağa’s tomb is in the courtyard. The former madrasa cells now surround a quiet tea garden and handicraft workshops. A restoration carried out in the 2000s saved the building from earthquake and damp damage.
What is nearby?
The mosque is a 3-minute walk from the Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque in Kadırga, and 5 minutes from the Kennedy Avenue seafront on the Sea of Marmara and the remains of the Bucoleon Palace. You can walk down to the shore by passing under the railway line.
Visiting tips
- From the Blue Mosque it is a 10-minute downhill walk to the Little Hagia Sophia along Kabasakal and Küçük Ayasofya streets.
- The tea garden in the courtyard is ideal for a break with children after the crowded squares.
- For guests staying at the Sareban and nearby hotels, the mosque is almost empty in the first hours after the dawn prayer.
Our family hotels near Little Hagia Sophia
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Little Hagia Sophia: 1 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Little Hagia Sophia: 2 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Little Hagia Sophia: 3 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Sareban Hotel
Little Hagia Sophia: 3 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
Frequently asked questions
Is the Little Hagia Sophia older than Hagia Sophia?
Yes. Construction of the Little Hagia Sophia began in 527 and was completed around 536, while the present Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537.
How do you get to the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque?
From the Sultanahmet stop of the T1 tram it is about a 10-minute walk, passing behind the Blue Mosque. You can also climb up by the steps from the Kennedy Avenue seafront.
