Santa Sofía Review

It is just convergence between two major religion ; Islam and Christ. I had some magnificant experience in this museum which was Islamic temple once ago.

One of the most beautiful places that I ever saw. I really recommend that you go and see it; however, you need to be a properly dressed to go inside.

Definitely a cool place to visit considering how old and historical the Hagia Sophia is. Has some beautiful mosaics.

No words can describe its beauty. Wish could stay longer to feel and appreciate the history.

Outside this museum doesn't look that impressive, but inside it is different story. I highly recommend entering inside ( 10e entrance fee), you will be amazed because there both Christian and Muslim motives alongside each other... Also behind main entrance, there is another entrance to the sultan thombs, entrance is free :)

Would've been great if not the construction/renovation.

The amazing structure that was built more than 1500 years ago. You can imagine how they build without electricity and communication system like these day

A church that was converted into a mosque and still retains some of the Christian gold leaf paintings. Lovely architecture. Do not miss the gold paintings near the entrance and the exit. Also watch out for the wear and tear of the marble stone at the door showing how pilgrims feet have eroded the floor. Some of the floor stones near the entrance have symmetrical designs - a path breaking idea of its time.

One of the most astonishing cathedrals I have ever seen! Very huge and very well designed!

The most important monument of the City. It reflects both the Byzantine and the Ottoman part. Some kind of wonderful !!

One of the oldest Mosque/Churches of the time now a museum and number 1 on a visit to Istanbul.

Breath taking structure, Arquitecture, engineering an amazing piece of art and history.
A must go while you are on Istanbul.

A great museum, very old and lots of history, you will see the congruence between two different religions in the same place, the catholic and Muslim, at the moment there's some places that have some restoration, but there's a lot to see, also if you want to know all the stories you need a good tour guide, don't forget to go to the second floor and get the best pictures.

Gorgeous antique artifact that survived different empires and ever religions. It s amazing that ancestors have been capable designing building and decorating like this.

One of the most interesting and historical places in Istanbul... really amazing

Awesome experience just get in a line and buy ticket from do not buy from any outside or online . Cheaper and get family discount

Beautiful place, although very crowded in the afternoon. Best to go there early in the morning

I won't say much about Hagia Sophia as so much has been said by others, except that it is an absolute must-see and should be one of your absolute priorities during your visit. I highly recommend the hiring of a private guide, for which I paid TRY70 for around 45 minutes. Sophie would have been amazing even without a guide, but I would have missed out on quite a bit of information and the expert knowledge was easily worth the fee asked.

The most beautiful attraction in Istanbul.. I love this place..

Beautiful place.. it literally takes us back to the history! Worth a visit...

If you're in Istanbul you MUST visit this incredible building. I would recommend to visit with a tour guide, because of the long and astonishing history this unique attraction holds

Must visit. Advisable to visit with a guide ... Picturesque.

Wonderful..
Spiritual..
Amazing..

amazing place but half is under construction/renovation.

Wooooow Speechlees it is a great place witness on the great history, you can easily buy a ticket and go inside and take a tour and i want to repeat it again
Highly recommeded

Exceptional piece of history. Must see. Amazing how the Muslims did not destroy the images of Jesus and merely covered them up that are available for all to see.

A nice museum showing the mixing between Chritian and Islam history. Too dark place.

Must visit place when you are in Turkey. You can see one of the greatest architecture building in the world. There's a lot history there.

Really interesting place and definitely worth the visit. Can be very crowded, so would recommend going late afternoon or early morning

Amazing place and phenomenal historical building in Istanbul. Must visit. Take a tour guide to avoid lines.

From mid-April to end of October, open until 19h.
Ticket are sold until one hour prior closing time. The gallery closes 30 minutes before.

During the day there s a long line to the ticket desk. Expect 30 Minutes or more. Early morning or late afternoon much more quiet.

Fascinating history and architecture, this building was lucky enough to be take care of by wise men along its history.
Aside the old walls and restoration work, there isn t much to see.
The sultans tumbs (free entrance on the side) are also worth a visit

First it was a church. Then ottomans turned it into a mosque. Nowadays it's one of the main museums in Istanbul. Impressive building specially when you are told or you discover how old this building is...

Amazing. Beautiful inside and out. You can still see remnants of the Church.

I like this because as a greek American and of Othodox faith what the Turkish government has allowed Sait Sofia turned a something else than a place of worship for many orthodox Christian . Give back to the orthodox church, that was stolen I ask the Turkish government and a Allie of the United States of America and NATO we are all the children of God show that you are democratic society

Absolutely amazing!!! Unfortunately half of the mosque was under construction for renovation purposes - but still worth it!

Beautiful. Such glorious detail! The size & scope is amazing - take time to see it all.

The very beautiful and great architecture and structure

If you really like history or you'll never get the chance to visit Istanbul again you should visit it. Not a lot of thing inside it and a big section of it closed due construction works!

Constantinople was the centre of the eastern church for a millennium. This was our second visit and there was a lot of scaffolding due to the renovations. To my unexpert eye their arm to be three layers of frescoes: very old more primitive images much like those in Cappadocia, later more sophisticated work and covered with beautiful Islamic geometric designs. In many places the different styles have somehow all been restored or plaster discretely removed to reveal the earlier work.

In the gallery there is a mural of Constantine and Eleni. As I looked I could not help but feel his influence and decisions he made rippling thru time to us some 1500 years later: Christianity and empire rolled into one.

Most Beautiful Church in the world! Gorgeous in every way. The Byzantines knew what they were doing.

Impressive structurally and also with the religious devotion in place by the people who gave their energy and wealth to the upkeep of this amazing building. Hagia Sofia once was Church then the imperial Mosque then one of the best Musium of Islamic culture and the History. So disciplined and we heard Recitation of Holy QUR'AN throughout the Musium and was live. Wish to visit again and again.

Great mosque, may God have mercy on Sultan Mohmed ElFath.

Not worth the money nothing much to say. Has interesting history but that's about it.

A great monument and proof of Bizantine and / Roman culture being nowadays turned into a mosque due to a narrow vision. Sole advantage: it can be visitare at night.

Hagia Sophia is a very impressive mosque/cathedral museum. You are in awe from the moment you walk in. Mosaics are beautifully detailed. Gold details impressive. Worth any potential lineups!

I personally think this is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

I can't describe what this holy place is, it does not fit in. Elegant, grand, serene, beautiful, exquisite...I find impossible to describe because it transcends, it is so beautiful from outside and from inside is deep spiritual, historical and artistic journey with all senses, a place to be visited for hours. One of the most important landmarks in Istambul.

Relax walking in and around there, not much tourist

Fascinating, acknowledging its past as both a Christian church and Islamic mosque. A must-see

Simply stunning. So much history and jaw dropping beauty. Interesting to see symbols of Christianity mixed with symbols of Islam. Highly recommended.

Beautiful masjid with most peaceful tranquil atmosphere.!

Dont go wid bigger expectations and u might end up.liking it

This a holy place that lifts your spirits...
You can feel the long history and take part in it.

A little disappointed to be honest. A lot of renovation work is going and you won't be able to appreciate the complete beauty of it (that's y I reduced 2 stars). Sparing that, this Museum/Mosque/Church is an absolute gem, one of it's kind in the whole world. The architecture is very pretty. History says it took just 5 years to build this, that too back in the 6th century, is truly unbelievable.

Great place .. make sure you have a good tour guide

One of the most awesome historical places in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia is the former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral, later an Ottoman imperial mosque and now a museum in Istanbul.Turkey. Built in AD 537 before the Middle Ages. it was famous in particular for its massive dome. It was the world's largest building and an engineering marvel of its time. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have "changed the history of architecture".

Must see place when visiting Istanbul Turkey. Buy your ticket in advance to avoid the long ques.

It is a really sample of religious architecture through the anicent centures till today

One of the popular and must visit tourist spot of Istanbul.

It is under renovation currently but still worth visiting for a truly historical place