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Hagia Sophia

Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul, Turkey
Description: The Hagia Sophia has a remarkably colorful history. Dedicated in 360, this former Orthodox Patriarchal Basilica was the largest cathedral in the world for more than 1,000 years, before becoming a mosque from 1453 to 1931...Read More
  • #6 most popular
    thing to do in Istanbul
  • Avg. User Rating:
    4 out of 5 stars

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Hagia Sophia Reviews

Have you visited the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul? We're always looking for more Hagia Sophia reviews and photos. Contribute yours today.
Best of IgoUgo

Is it a Church? A Mosque? A Museum?

  • 5 out of 5 stars by garymarsh6 from Gravesend, United Kingdom
  • July 7, 2025
Quote: Hagia Sophia.St.Sophia Museum.In answer to the title it has been in fact all three!Following my visit to the Blue Mosque directly opposite is the Hagia Sophia known in Turkish as the Aya Sophia. If you think the blue mosque is impressive then you... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal A Turkish delight. 1

Best of IgoUgo

Hagia Sophia

  • 4 out of 5 stars by Jctravel1983 from Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • December 6, 2025
Quote: HistoryConstantine the Great made sure that in the year 317 with the Decree of Milan, religious freedom was guaranteed. After that decree, the first churches, including the Aya Sofya was dedicated to the sacred wisdom Hagia Sophia between 325 and... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal Going to Istanbul!

Best of IgoUgo

Awe-Inspiring Inside, Outside ... Not So Much

  • 5 out of 5 stars by TianjinPaul from Rotherham, United Kingdom
  • July 5, 2025
Quote: Hagia Sophia stands scarcely 200m away from the Blue Mosque. From the outside, though, it is by far the least impressive of the two ancient buildings. Whereas the mosque seems to sit comfortably within its own Islamic skin, Hagia Sophia seems to be... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal Istanbul Sights

Best of IgoUgo

Church, Mosque then Museum

  • 4 out of 5 stars by catsholiday from ashbourne, United Kingdom
  • March 23, 2025
Quote: THE HAGIA SOPHIA:This wonderful building was known as the Church of the Holy Wisdom, but is also known as Hagia Sophia in Greek and Aya Sofya in Turkish. The Hagia Sophia was a Byzantine church then later it became an Ottoman mosque. Today this is... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal A short week in Istanbul

Hagia Sofia

  • 4 out of 5 stars by ruby43 from North Charleston, South Carolina
  • June 29, 2025
Quote: This is an old church/mosque that is now a museum. This particular church was a Christian church at one time, and reflects the frescoes and tiled portraits from that time. It was then converted to a mosque at another time in it's history, and the... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal 25th Anniversary

Best of IgoUgo

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)

  • 5 out of 5 stars by billmoy from Chicago, Illinois
  • February 28, 2025
Quote: The history of this complex is fascinating and serves as a capsule summary of Istanbul. It was originally constructed from 532 to 537 under the rule of Justinian. The names credited as the architects were Anthemius of Tralles and Isodorus of... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal Bill in Turkey - ISTANBUL

Hagia Sofia

  • 5 out of 5 stars by linet from Eindhoven, Netherlands
  • February 1, 2025
Quote: 6th century church inherited from Byzantium. It was converted into a mosque after the city was conquered by Turks. Modern Turkish republic has made a museum out of it, which was a proper decision because this building was not made to be a church or... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal Istanbul in 3 days

Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

  • 4 out of 5 stars by hermion from Milton, Massachusetts
  • October 24, 2025
Quote: One can, of course, not leave Istanbul without first seeing Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The Hagia Sophia, a mosque, then a church, now a museum is a most impressive building with its enormous arched dome. The blue Mosque, recognizable by the... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal Istanbul

Hagia Sofia

  • 3 out of 5 stars by walkman from Bratislava, Slovakia
  • August 1, 2025
Quote: Hagia Sofia is one of most popular buildings (if not the most popular) in Istanbul. It was built as a temple by Byzantines a long time ago. After Constantinople was captured by Turks (or Otomans if you wish) these guys, under the influence of... Read the full Hagia Sophia review

From journal Istanbul - gate to Asia?