Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya) Istanbul

Sultanahmet, Eminonu District Istanbul , Turkey - Phone: 0212 522 1750

TravelPod Member ReviewsHagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya) Istanbul

  • Mosaics mosaics and more mosaics!

    5

    minabod 1 contribution United Kingdom May 4, 2013

    Stunning even though the scaffolding was up. The mosaics are out of this world and lovely to see that both the Christian and Islamic past of this beautiful building are equally represented.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Gorgeous

    5

    friendtheworld 27 contributions United States Apr 22, 2013

    Absolutely beautiful church. It's a must see while in Istanbul. I would recommend not going on a tour here so you aren't rushed through.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Hagia Sophia

    3

    erinwarwick 0 contribution Canada Mar 16, 2013

    For centuries it was know as Megalo Ekklesia the "Great Church" of Constantinople. The Greeks called it Hagia Sophia which means "Divine Wisdom" and the Turks call it Aya Sofya. Built by Emperor Justinian between A.D. 532 & 537. For 900 years it served as the "Eastern Vatican". It was the single greatest architectural achievement of the Byzantine Empire.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Excellente place!

    5

    leitus 4 contributions Buenos Aires, Argentina Feb 26, 2013

    Do not avoid going to Hagia Sophia when you visit Turkey. Great place and excellent conservation from a 6th century building.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Include two religion

    5

    mr.mertborak 0 contribution Girne, Turkey Jan 6, 2013

    There is so magnificent place, before the Ottoman there used church but during the Ottoman time there was mosque therefore If you visit there you can feel the history

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Very, very beautiful

    5

    salaney1 6 contributions Kalamazoo, United States Nov 25, 2012

    Church that was converted to a mosque and is now a museum. This was Steph's favorite place to visit and the size of the mosque is huge! Due to the conversion from church to mosque any paintings of people were covered over as Muslims believe cannot worship or place a persons picture up as not a god. That actually preserved the beautiful paintings which now can be seen in the walls of the Hagia Sophia.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Beautiful

    4

    nwaugh 11 contributions Otorohanga, New Zealand May 20, 2012

    Aya Sofia is an amazing display of the skills and artistry of our forebears. The building is awe inspiring and the decorations are a delight. A wonderful holy place.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • How can it not be a great experience?

    5

    byron_and_tracy 2 contributions Nashville, United States Feb 17, 2012

    I have a Ph.D. in European history and literature, so there is little chance that experiencing the Hagia Sophia could be disappointing. I won't get into the reasons here. Otherwise I might never stop writing. For those who are going to Istanbul, it might be helpful to know that there is some pretty good shopping near the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. I would scarcely bother with the Hagia Sophia gift shop, though.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Aya Sophia

    5

    asolotraveler 6 contributions United States Oct 1, 2011

    Though I am not usually a useum type of person, I did go into this one.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • All it's chalked up to be.

    5

    gv_family 2 contributions United States Jul 9, 2011

    Even after a full day looking at other stuff of historical value, the Hagia Sophia blew me away. It is BIG. more than the sultan's palace or the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia gave me a sense of being tiny. The building is, and contains, hundreds of priceless works of art. This literally dropped my jaw. You don't wanna go to Istanbul and miss this.

    also, it might seem like there's a huge line, but go ask one of the policemen gaurding the gate, because often that is a line of tourbus people, and you can use a different entrance.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Stunning for the 2nd Time...

    4

    gascon 10 contributions Portland, United States Jul 6, 2011

    One of the most monumental and historically significant structures ever built. Even today, the vastness of Sophia can't be ignored and I could only wonder what it was like to cross the threshold of its enormous doors 1,600 years earlier. To put this in perspective, the Taj Mahal, over 1,000 years newer, could fit entirely inside the structure. The Ottoman Turks must have been awestruck upon its seizure and conversion to a mosque after the Byzantium collapse.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

  • Can't miss it

    5

    christojb 4 contributions Bakersfield, CA, USA, United States Jun 29, 1961

    A centerpiece of history.

    This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

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  • 3

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  • 4

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  • 5

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    28 photos

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  • 6

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    18 photos

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  • 7

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    19 photos

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  • 8

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    5 photos

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  • 9

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    14 photos

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  • 10

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