Santa Sofía Review

Beautiful structure. You can marvel in the changes that occured throughout the decades.

Remarkable place even for those that traveled and seen a lot

Very interesting and fascinating place to be! A must go in Turkey!

Incredible architecture and beautiful inside and out. Has to be on your list to visit.

The queues to enter are 30min on average. Once inside they only sell Evian water for 14 TL / 0.5l

One of the most beautiful mosques in the world, and because it was a church a long time ago before that, there still are beautiful mosaics depicting Christian scenes.

historical place, hagia sophia museum in front of blue mosque

There are many important monuments in stanbul, but this venerable structure which was commissioned by the great Byzantine emperor Justinian, consecrated as a church in 537, converted to a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453 and More

Basilica transformed to a mosque in Ottoman period, now used as a Museum.
One of the most Famous monument in Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia Museum is one of the icons of Istanbul old city. Glass mosaics up in the gallery are amazing. Admission fee to the museum is 72 TL (12 Feb 2020). A guided visit to the museum is highly recommended. Ticket line is too long in the season, you can choose to pay extra (Fast track) or have a guided tour to skip the ticket line. But there is no way to skip the security line.

This museum is a special one containing Islamic and Christian relics together side by side. It was built in 537 AD.

Impressive building. It s interesting to see this place that represents how time passes and how different empires/civilisations fall then others are born and again repeat. The whole building it doesn t look so nice from every side and it s very busy in the area though.

Immensely popular tourist attraction situated across the park from the Blue Mosque. It's incredibly difficult for anyone to miss this place if you're visiting Istanbul to sightsee.

Lines going into the museum will often snake around the block, so try to book your tickets online ahead of time, or use the ticket vending machines.

Once you're inside the museum, you are free to roam the ground level and admire the chandeliers, tiles, pillars, stain glass windows and masonry. You can also head up to the second floor via the stone stairs and ramps. Some artwork exhibits are displayed on the second floor as well.

There are now two museum shops for you to take a look at. Both have limited but high quality products available for sale.

Beautiful place.
Heaven in earth!

Even before you enter, you'll be amazed by the beautiful structure of the now museum. Lots of history inside. The interior of the building is even more breathtaking. Expect to spend a good 1-2 hours. 60 lira is the price per person.

The museum is magnificent with a long and interesting history. However, it was under extensive renovation and covered with scaffolding and sheets when we visited. There wasn't much to see and it was almost impossible to take a good photograph. We finished our visit in 30 minutes and didn't feel it was worth the 40 lira entrance fee. It would have been fairer for the museum to offer discounted tickets if it was under renovations.

It is a unique place. The history here in every detail, a majestic building with an interesting history. Inside a lot of unique elements of architecture, very beautiful. The left side of reconstruction. It is recommended to read the history of the museum, or use the audio guide. Be sure to visit)

A truly wonderful place to visit. Everyone will be able to be impressed in their own way, seeing his or her own favorite thing from in the historic site. Seeing the overlaying patterns from different regimes touches me deeply.

You haven't done Istanbul if you haven't visited this once church and now mosque.

Great place to visit. It's greatness and uniqueness are a testament of time.

Very well kept Masjid. Amazing place to pray and visit

I hope, I will visit Aya Sofia again one day.. Wonderful experience, great stories from history...

Under restoration works now, it looks like it's gonna take a while to be completed but still worth the visit. Amazing mosque.

A beautiful place that used to be a cathedral and then a mosque

The t8cket is for 40 tl and try to avoid going 0n Fridays

Wonderful historical place. You MUST visit it while you in istanbul.

This is mosque not a museum and this is the victory place for all Islamic world ALMIGHTY BLESS ALL TURKISH PEOPLE

Always wanted to see it and I wasn't disappointed. What a magnificent building and history. Absolutely loved it.

So pleased we visited this Museum suggest anyone from overseas they must visit this.

a heritage gem, essential and impressive
during my visit there was renovation work

So beautiful. Can't believe a structure this grand was built so long ago...a must see for any traveler

It is a beautiful place where people from all over the world come here and those who are fond of history Great place for them

Beautiful atmosphere and architecture. Must be seen to be believed.

Absolutely stunning....history of this place is phenomenal . Get a guide

Thousand of years of history. Don't miss this place. Still under construction inside

Although I live in Istanbul only a few blocks from this amazing site, I never stop wondering at and stepping inside it! It s simply stupendous! A first trip to Istanbul definitely must include this church/mosque and now museum and I d advice you go in the morning first thing!

The last bastion of the Byzantine empire and Christendom in a Turkey dominated by segregation, racism, oppression and rhetoric war. Erdogan is taking the world back to the 7 century and carefully destroying the Christian steps, imposing islamization of a church. Remember this any time you see anything made in Turkey Is it not strange to you that Islamic preach and services are fine but Christian masses not? Such a coincidence in trying to forget the past and make the whole Eastern Christian Europe in a nice , new caliphate. But hej, we cant speak about this, its is not politically correct to mention facts....

Nice Masjid it mixed between Islamic history and Christian history

worth the visit but a bit disappointed with inside. somehow needs a bit more care, however they are renovating so I imagine it will be better soon

Unity and mutual respect shown between Christian's and muslims in the past displayed here.. and u get to be inside somthing that was built 1500+ years ago

Had a great experience to explore three times constructed place due to its popularity.

Half restored half deteriorated. A tourist must see

The place where history, politics and genius of engineering meet. A must see monument, just great.

What can one say for this marvel of the world. It's a pitty it cannot be seen in its original byzantine glory,as almost all the interior has been destroyed after it was turned to a mosque. Very strong feelings,in one of the most famous monuments of the world. In the picture,of the few mosaics that have made it till today.

Amazing museum with all of historical items preserved

Absolutely amazing; a place where you dip in history and feel the awe. Do read it's history before you visit to get better experience. The architecture, the skill and the great minds behind it's timeless grandeur, it's a real historical icon.

I like it , but there is a lot of place closed on it

Really nice monument of history, don't miss the fact that this was a Greek Catholic Orthodox church, it is really beautiful and magnificent.

It's a good place to visit if you have the right Tour Guide with you. It has many different perspectives based on who tell the stories. But i have to admit, this place was full of stories and take my curiosity even higher.

Not to be missed. This should be the first thing you do. Worth getting a guide too as you get to jump the queue.

A must-visit place without further ado, too bad for me is there was a maintenance taken place.

Ancient/historic/*must see*/beautiful/marred by ongoing renovation work.

Lovely place. The Heritage of this place is still intact. Hands up to the Government of Turkey for a great Experience.

Wonderful museum complex. Beautiful architecture and intersting objects on display. Use the ticket machines as they are great.

Amazing wonders. How the Constantinople built a church back then with so great architecture like that

Lovely..though there is almost no trsce of the Roman christian empire..a museum ought to record it

A Blend of Christianity and Turk Culture, Good place to visit

There are many important monuments in stanbul, but this venerable structure commissioned by the great Byzantine emperor Justinian, consecrated as a church in 537, converted to a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453 and declared a More

Come, visit, see and took some picture for instagram.
Must visit place if you come to istanbul.
Before come, read the history first.
Around here also alot of good place to visit.
About the entrance fee, please check the picture.
This fee for this year 2019 ...

Good luck

Under renovation but still magnificent. Absolutely worth the 60 liras it costs to visit.

Beautiful mosque. It's super huge and ancient! You really can feel how historic this place.

Amazing museum, clear intersection between Christianity and Islam. Beautiful and very historic.

So beautiful... Amazing to see the many evolutions of this holy site

A must see in Istanbul. The history is incredible and the interior is spectacular if a little dilapidated.

The place where history, religious and spirits meets visitors all over the world. It is must see place. Go there prepared with knowledge or take guide. Otherwise it would be just a walk among a lot of people. The ticket price is increase. In November was about 74 Turk lira per adult.

Breathtaking architecture and an amazing history makes this museum a must visit when in Istanbul!

One of the most breath-taking sites in Istanbul a must see for history lovers.

Ps: The ruins of the first Hagia sophia is also cold be seen near to the entrance of the museum.

Used to be a Church then in Ottoman Empire they declared it a mosque. Then after fall of Ottoman Empire they declared it a mosque. Now in 2020 Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan again converted it to a mosque. A huge historical piece of art.

An amazing combination of Christianity and Islam together.such a beautiful place. So grateful to the government to decide to open it to everyone as a museum!

A good historical place to visit. In my opinion you should know the history of this place during or before the visit, either by a tour guide or using the automated video in the show room at the left of the entrance.

What can I say. A must see place while you are in town. Do not consider leaving Istanbul without leaving this magnificent gift to human race.

The most striking element of the Hagia Sophia is the monumental dome, which dominates the entire interior. The dome of the Hagia Sophia, with 32 metres of wingspan (dome diameter), remains the largest dome of architectural history built over only four carrying points and is regarded as a gigantic implementation and its special harmony and proportions as One of the most important buildings of all time.