The Hagia Sophia Mosque is located in the heart of the Turkish city of Istanbul, and it is considered one of the most prominent historical monuments in the region and one of the greatest architectural works in the world. This ancient urban landmark carries a long and exciting story, which tells of its history, construction, and transformation through the ages.

The roots of Hagia Sophia go back to the sixth century AD when it was built as a Christian church with a design by the engineers Antimios and Isidoros.
The church was used as the seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) for centuries, and hosted many religious ceremonies and events.

Its architecture is a unique achievement in the history of construction over time, as highly advanced techniques and materials were used compared to the time in which it was built.
The Hagia Sophia Mosque is distinguished by its huge and restored glass dome, which is an exceptional engineering achievement for its era. The height of the dome is about 55.6 meters, and it occupied its position for a long time as the largest dome in the world.
Hagia Sophia witnessed several radical transformations over the centuries: in 1453, the church was turned into a mosque after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror opened it after the conquest of Constantinople, then the mosque was converted over time into a museum during the era of the Turkish Republic in 1935, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Hagia Sophia is distinguished by the beauty and diversity of the antiques and decorations inside it, which reflect the different influences of the cultures that ruled Istanbul throughout the ages. The interior walls and dome house one of the most important mosaics in the world, and ornate columns and colorful windows are scattered throughout the building.

In July 2020, the Hagia Sophia Mosque was reopened as a mosque again by a decision of the Turkish government and the efforts of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after it had been operating as a museum for 86 years, based on the decision of the Council of Ministers in 1934.
This decision sparked widespread controversy in the international community, but it gave the site greater religious and cultural importance for Muslims in Turkey and around the world.
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which has attracted great interest from domestic and foreign tourists, has received nearly 21 million visitors since it reopened as a mosque three years ago.

Thanks to its ancient history and architectural beauty, the Hagia Sophia Mosque is a major tourist destination in Turkey, as millions of visitors come annually to enjoy the magnificence of this unique place, admire the mosaics, and enjoy its historical architecture.
The site is also an important cultural landmark that represents a unique blend of Islamic and Christian cultures in its interior and exterior designs and monuments.

The Hagia Sophia Mosque remains an amazing example of the cultural and spiritual diversity of Istanbul and Turkey in general, and shows you in its splendor that it is a symbol of historical development and coexistence between different cultures over time, and a landmark worth visiting for all lovers of history and architecture.

Edited by: Aldar Real Estate ©