Hagia Sophia
Local name: Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi
- Built
- 537
- Visit time
- 1 h
- Open
- Daily · Paused at prayer times
- Entry
- Ticketed for visitors
Built in 532–537 under Emperor Justinian I. It became a mosque in 1453 and a museum in 1934, and has served as a mosque again since 2020. Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy panels share the same space.
Tip
Go early in the morning to avoid queues. Visitor entry is ticketed; visits pause during prayer times.