Head Office
Directorate of Hagia Sophia Museum
Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet
Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Customer Service
Phone: 0212 522 17 50 (Hagia Sophia)
Phone: +90 444 MÜZE /6893 (tickets)
Phone: 0212 631 92 41 (Kariye Museum)
Phone: 0212 518 12 05 (Great Palace Mosaic Museum)
Phone: 0212 635 12 73 (Istanbul Fethiye Museum)
Email: yardim@muze.gov.tr (tickets)
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About Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a historical monument and museum in Turkey that was established first as a church in 537 AD. The name means “holy wisdom”. From 1054 AD to 1204 AD it was a Greek Orthodox Cathedral, then a Roman Catholic Cathedral in 1204 AD – 1261 AD and again a Greek Orthodox Cathedral in 1261 AD, finally it was transformed to a mosque in 1453 AD. Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935 by then President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. First commissioned by emperor Constantine I The Great, some of the main features of Hagia Sophia include the minarets, narthex, the mihrab, minbar, coronation square, dome, calligraphic roundels, urns and mosaics.
Located in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia was an important monument for both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its architectural beauty and the history it carries brings millions of visitors from around the world. In has influences of both Christianity and Islam. Hagia Sophia remained a crucial monument of Eastern Orthodox Church for 1000 years. Hagia Sophia was the only church that survived. There were two others known as Church of Holy Wisdom, but later destroyed.
Hagia Sophia’s visiting hours are from 9am to 7pm. The ticket counter is open only till 6pm. A single ticket costs 40 TL. Turkish youth under 18 years of age can enter for free. The same applies for foreign children of 12 years or younger. In 2015, the museum welcomed close to 3.5 million visitors.
Purchase the Muzekart to access more than 300 museums and historical places, including Hagia Sophia. The card is valid for an entire year. You can purchase the same online through major credit cards. There is also the Museum Pass that is valid for 5 days. You can find a variety discounts on the Museum Pass Istanbul cards. For more information or queries on location, tickets, timings, parking, lost and found items, or others, reach the Hagia Sophia customer service.
