Hagia Sophia Mosque

"One of Istanbul's most famous buildings, Hagia Sophia showcases over 700 years of Istanbul's history. Originally a large church, it was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman era. However, despite the conversion, Hagia Sophia retains much of its original purpose as a church, including some magnificent mosaics on the upper level depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and various saints. It was plastered over for centuries when the church was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman rulers, as icons and human figures are prohibited in Islamic art. However, these mosaics were uncovered in the 1930s and kept as part of a museum due to the secularism that flourished after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. It was originally built in 360 BC. AD, but has been rebuilt several times since then. The latest version is more than 1482 years old and has certainly stood the test of time, surviving many earthquakes. For many years, Hagia Sophia functioned as a museum rather than a mosque, due to secularization after Atatürk's rule. However, this has recently changed, much to the chagrin of many, with President Erdoğan ordering Hagia Sophia to be converted (again) into a mosque. This is a concern for many historians; however, nothing much has changed for the tourist except that there is now no entrance fee and it will be closed to tourists during prayer hours. 💡 I recommend visiting Hagia Sophia both during the day and after dark 💶 Free entry. Disposable scarves and cloaks are for sale"

"(EN) The last of three church buildings to be successively erected by the Eastern Roman Empire, it was completed in 537 AD. It was a Roman Catholic cathedral for some decades after the Fourth Crusade of 1204. An Orthodox church until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Also a mosque until 1935, then a museum and then from 2020 a mosque again. (ES) Fue el último de los tres edificios eclesiásticos construidos sucesivamente por el Imperio Romano de Oriente y se completó en el año 537 d.C. Fue una catedral católica romana durante algunas décadas después de la Cuarta Cruzada de 1204. Una iglesia ortodoxa hasta la conquista otomana de Constantinopla. También fue mezquita hasta 1935, luego museo y a partir del 2020 nuevamente mezquita."