Santa Sofía Reviews

Mind blowing and mind freezing history. If you haven't go there in ur visit to Istanbul then i am 100 percent sure u haven't seen anything.

Surreal beauty, feeling so honoured for being there!

It's an amazing feeling when you walk inside the building and feel all the history of ancient times.

It was closed on Monday. Nevertheless, it's awesome.

I mean... if you need to look at a review to decide whether or not you re going to visit a world class historic landmark, you re probably doing it wrong.

Interesting time capsule built over 1500 yeara ago.

An amazing monument and one of the bigest and most historical churches of the world.

It is hard to imagine a more majestic place, a place that breathes so much history out of every stone and brick. I have visited Ays Sofya several times, and each time I left in awe.

First of all, there s its sheer size. It makes you feel so small but it lifts you up at the same time. Secondly, there is its age and all the layers of history that create a texture and depth hard to imagine and replicate.

Do a bit of research before visiting, and give it at least a full hour- hour and a half. Istanbul has a museum pass that is quite handy if you intend to visit several museums.

Awesome place. Great tourist attraction in Istanbul. Must visit.

To be honest, this is one of the most underwhelming aspects of my trip to turkey. There is construction going in it and even without it, i may not be interested with its less to offer nature of art and history. Other than being very old and pretty lamps in it,i don't find it justified for the charge of its price. May be i would have appreciated it more like Blue mosque if it was allowed to enter free.

Wow, to think this mosque/church is 1500 years old and still standing today is an amazing feat of human ingenuity must visit

This architectural masterpiece is magnificent. You can live history in one place. The mighty feeling behind it blows you mind and makes you think how mankind can excel when they find the right place and the right support.

There is a lots to see in , dont you ever miss it !

It's impressive and interesting to see Christian and Islamic symbols next to each other. There is a queue in front of the ticket office, but it moves quickly. Entry fee was 60 per person and 30 extra for audio guide. You can also try private guided tours but they usually don't have very good English so good luck understanding what they say.

Anazing, one of major attractions in Istanbul, must visit.

I was amazed by this place. Huge history and beautiful building

Beatiful and magnificent place in which the history of Roman, Otoman and Bizantine empire take his part.

Quiet and unassuming from the outside but absolutely spectacular from the inside, even with scaffolding all around for restoration. Not to be missed, even with the brutal queue.

Awesome place. Best place to visit rich historical backgrpunds beautiful architecture. From a church to mosque to museum. Interior is good. Less rush in off peak times. Must visit in istanbul. Its opposite sultan amhet mosque

Really great place. This is a must go for all tourist. Full of information and beautiful architecture from different eras.

Absolutely beautiful. A real step back time. It takes your breath away

Must see in istanbul. Hired a guide to know the history. Quite amazing how reliegions changed in old times.

Beautiful architecture structure with a rich history, highly recommend checking it out and worth having a private guide, cut the lines and learn more

Massive historic building that is over 1500 years olds. It was originally a church for over 900 years and then as a mosque for almost 500 years. It is now a museum. Some effort has been kept to maintain what remains of the Christian mosaics and the roof. It is under significant maintenance due to wear and tear but there area still a good few hundred years of life in this building.

Nothing to say - it's just must-go place if You are in Istambu .

t is proof of stay of christianity inside the existence of islam. t shows that faith is coming from one root, from same root. Hagia Sophia is concrete truth which delivers reality of past to nowadays. It shows how Ottamans respected all culture... By touching the walls, you are touching the piece from history... Here you can feel moments of history....

Old and ancient masque, near sultan Ahmet square, you should pay 60 lir for visiting and waiting in the long line, early morning it may be a little not crowded. You should visit other museum there too. In the yard you can find small food truck that they sell simit, the traditional bread of turkey. You will enjoy

Must visited museum. It s a mixture pace of art from both of the Islamic and Christianity religions.

Nice historical place to visit.

WHILE YOU WAIT FOR THE TICKETS IN QUEUE MANY AGENTS WILL TRY TO SELL YOU TICKETS 10 LIRA MORE THAN ACTUAL PRICE.
IT WON'T HELP YOU AS YOU WILL SRI BE IN THE LINE FOR SECURITY.
PLEASE DON'T SUPPIRT THE TOUTSAND WSTE YOUR MONEY.

Make sure to go to the first floor to see valuable mosaic art and good views too.

Beautiful building, recommend visiting in Istanbul for sure! Too bad one part is currently under construction.

It's a must see unique museum in Istanbul. Such a great building where Christian icons stand beside Islamic calligraphy. Renovation was going on when we visited Hagia Sophia in June 2019 but this didn't bother us nor many tourists at the place.

Huge lines to enter, but moving relatively fast. I recommend to hold a place in the line before the opening (9am). Good, that it is not that crowded once you enter. You can take a guide (50 lira), who will tell you about the rich interiors of the mosque and take you inside avoiding the line.

Under construction. Expensive tickets. Not worth the glitter. Outside view is much better. Pure photography place, can spend max 10 mins - all look the same. Save money and spend on Topkapi instead.

Amazing ...
A mix of Islamic and Christian history

Despite being under construction, there was still a good part of the Hagia Sophia to see.

Well worth the money. Such an amazing historic treasure and it's so beautiful. I'd recommend blue mosque before due to the amazing beauty of Hagia Sophia.

Wonderful place ! A must if you come by Istanbul.

The waiting line is mad though, I suggest you get a Tourist Museum Pass to pass the lines beforehand from somewhere else before going to any historical location in Istanbul. It's issued by the ministry of tourism so it's legit and it costs 120 Tl as of the date of the review.

Amazing history, beautiful scenes. I can't believe this is a real place.

One of the most splendid historical sites I've ever seen.

Much more restauration work needed. Awesome. Magnificant. Imperial. Gigantic.

One of my favourite buoding in the world. The grandmother of all churches is amazing to explore.

Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Its interior is decorated with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings of great artistic value. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!" ( ). Justinian himself had overseen the completion of the greatest cathedral ever built up to that time, and it was to remain the largest cathedral for 1,000 years up until the completion of the cathedral in Seville in Spain.

Absolutely breathtaking... worth every penny .. a must see

Amazing place to visit with family and friends. Would love to go there again!

Stunning place, it was under renovation when I went but it was really amazing.

Very good, beautiful historical monument. One star less as it was under renuation

Glorious! One of the best places I've visited ever.

Beautiful composite of two major religions, with features from both in one structure. So much history here.

Historical place, buy a recorder to get an idea of historical relevance of this place.

Great Place to Visit, learn the story and feel it inside ....

A beautiful mosque that very nicely portrays the transition from Christianity to Islam. The ceiling paintings are beautiful. There are many windows in the mosque that allow you to make beautiful photos. I recommend that you visit the mosque early in the morning later it is very crowded because of the great interest.

One of the most visited tourist places in Istanbul. Great monument. Reach well in time to avoid the crowd.

Long waiting lines....a good part of the place was inaccessible due to restoration and the available parts were very crowded. we spent less than half an hour there. but had to wait in line for an hour to get there and also don't forget the tour guides that try to convince you to hire them in order to skip the waiting line.

Beautiful mosaic art, medieval steps to Upper floor with magnificent view, Under refurbishment in March 2018..until?

Majestic and beautiful. You can come here in the afternoon and evening, as well as night, since the views are different.

Beautiful building with a lot of history. They could do a better job keeping the information panels updated and half the interior is covered in scaffolding as of Dec 2015 which takes away some of the grandeur. Still worth a visit if you are in Istanbul.

A must go place for every curious mind.
Represents the history, religion, art, politics, power and peace.
10/10

Really great place to see. I liked interior better than exterior, however it's magnificent building, so if you are in Istanbul visit this is a must.

Great place to visit and learn about the historical events that make Istanbul. We were lucky as the queues were long but someone seemed to know that hiring a guide would help to fast track. It was worth it. Don't forget to go upstairs too.

Beautiful church / mosque now a museum. History for us all

Great learning experience of visiting this unique architecture.

Several beliefs and cultures preserved in one place. Amazing. Very historical place.

Lovely Camii (Masjid) worth watching the masterpiece and its state-of-the-art structure. Peaceful place for prayers.

Doesn t deserve the money to go inside the building!

It's 1700 years old and has seen emperors, popes, kings and generals. You can feel the history. What more is there to say. Totally worth the 40 lira entrance fee. The audio guide is 35 lira but if you have Wikipedia you don't really need it. Go on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid the bigger crowds.

It's located at Sultanahmet square opposite to the Blue mosque.Its a master piece of Byzantine architecture.It served 916 years as church and then 481 years as mosque but now it's a national museum.Remains of first Hazia Sophia as entrance steps, columns are also there.Richly decorated mosaics are the best attraction here.It tells the story Byzantine empire to the ottoman empire.
Must visit place.

Great place! Must see! Better to buy tickets online, this will prevent you from long lines.