Heritage Without Borders: Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was built between 532 and 537 for the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, by the architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, replacing an earlier church that had burned during the Nika riots. Its vast dome influenced church and mosque architecture for centuries. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Mehmed II turned it into a mosque. In 1934 it was designated a museum, opening in 1935, and in 2020 Turkey's Council of State annulled that decision and it became a mosque again, a move that drew criticism, including from UNESCO.

It remains part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Visitor arrangements have changed since 2020, including how tourists enter, separate areas for worshippers and visitors, and the possibility of a ticket for foreign visitors; check the official sources before you go.

Visit in the early morning if you can, to avoid queues, and avoid the times of prayer. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered, and women should carry a scarf for the head. Shoes are removed at the entrance of the prayer area. Keep voices low, do not photograph worshippers, and follow staff instructions. Understand that the building is a living place of worship, not only a monument, and that it also preserves Byzantine mosaics that tell part of its long story.