Starting Monday, foreign tourists visiting Istanbul's renowned Hagia Sophia will be charged €25, according to new regulations introduced by the Republic's Ministry of Tourism. The initiative aims to streamline entry processes, reduce entrance queues, and facilitate large-scale restoration efforts at the historic site.
Entrance to the temple for tourists is organized on the side of the southern lobby, allowing them to explore the gallery floor, Byzantine mosaics, and experience a comprehensive view of the mosque. An audio guide, available in 23 languages, has been developed for visitors and can be downloaded to mobile devices. Headphones are also provided at the entrance for those who prefer a self-guided tour.
For Turkish citizens and individuals visiting Hagia Sophia for worship purposes, entry remains free of charge. The new entry system is expected to enhance the visitor experience and facilitate restoration efforts, while also generating revenue from foreign tourists.
In July 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree converting Hagia Sophia Cathedral into a mosque, resuming religious services. Subsequently, entrance to the site became free of charge. In 2022, the mosque welcomed 13.6 million visitors. However, official data for the end of last year is yet to be released by local authorities.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, St. Sophia Cathedral stands as a testament to Byzantine architecture, constructed between 532 and 537 CE under Emperor Justinian's orders. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque. In 1935, the Turkish government, led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, decreed it a museum, a status maintained until the 2020 conversion to a mosque.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Şinasi Müldür/Pixabay
Based on materials from TASS