{"id":33088,"date":"2024-01-17T12:34:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T09:34:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/haiya-sofia\/"},"modified":"2024-01-17T12:37:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T09:37:50","slug":"haiya-sofia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/haiya-sofia\/","title":{"rendered":"Hagia Sophia takes payment for entrance from tourists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The paid entrance to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is now a separate entrance for tourists who can enter the mosque only on the second floor by buying a ticket at the box office.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourists can no longer visit Hagia Sophia for free. According to Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism<\/a>, starting January 15, 2024, foreign tourists will have to pay an entrance fee of 25 euros (about $27) to enter the mosque and UNESCO World Heritage Site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hagia Sophia has been welcoming tourists free of charge since 2020, when the government designated it a mosque and resumed Muslim worship there. It was built almost 1500 years ago as a Byzantine cathedral and is one of the most popular attractions in Turkey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government has differentiated between the way tourists and believers enter the building. Instead of the main entrance, tourists will now enter through a ramp and a tunnel. They will only have access to the gallery floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What tourists can now see in Hagia Sofia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the gallery on the second floor, visitors can see Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman additions, and the floor of the mosque’s sanctuary. They can also pass through the so-called “gates of heaven and hell,” an area that was previously off-limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order not to disturb the faithful, there is a mandatory headset system with a QR application, through which visitors can receive information in 23 languages. Guides can no longer accompany groups on a tour of Hagia Sophia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government also added surveillance cameras, fire detectors, and an emergency notification system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much does a flight to Hagia Sofia cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The ticket price is \u20ac25 or 850 lira. It is open to both foreigners and Turkish citizens who want to get to the second floor of Hagia Sophia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admission for children under 8 years old is free<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entrance to Hagia Sophia is not included in the Istanbul Museum Map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hagia Sofia now has free Wi-Fi and an audio guide in 23 languages. You need a smartphone and headphones. If you don’t have headphones with you, you can buy them on the spot for 100 lira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology allows us to see all the mosaics that come to life with the help of BP technologies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements for women to visit Hagia Sophia as a tourist: you still need to wear a headscarf. No need to take off your shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Useful articles and links:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n