All About The New Rules And Entry Fee At Hagia Sophia

If you're Istanbul-bound, the grand Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia should definitely make it to your list, as it has been reopened for tourists since it was shut in 2020. However, before you plan a visit, there are some key points you must know, as foreign travellers don't have complete access to them.

New Entry Fee And Rules At Hagia Sophia

Firstly, to gain entry into Hagia Sophia, tourists will now have to pay a fee of EUR 25 (INR 2,235). However, this entry fee gives access to only a part of the mosque. As per announcements, non-muslims and tourists can only access a tiny section of the ground floor as the monument that earlier served as a museum and a mosque has been converted into a mosque by President Erdoğan of Türkiye four years ago.

Moreover, Hagia Sophia now has two separate entrances—one for Turkish citizens visiting the mosque to worship and tourists of other nationalities. The former can gain access from the entrance at Sultanahmet Square, and the latter can gain access from the one located in front of the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III, where a ticket booth has been set up. It is also to be noted that visitors above the age of eight need to hold a ticket (priced INR 2,235) to gain access.

Another rule that must be kept in mind while visiting the 6th-century structure is that female visitors are required to wear a headscarf, which can be purchased from outside the entrance to the worship area as well.

Another development is that visitors are not allowed to avail the services of a professional guide inside. Instead, visitors can scan a QR code and access an audio-visual tour. The guide audio tour comes in 23 different languages and provides information on 10 points of interest, out of which nine are in the upper gallery (most notably the "Heaven and Hell Gate", the 11th-century Viking Script graffiti, the mosaic of Constantine IX and Empress Zoe, and the Deësis mosaic depicting Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary and John the Baptist). The upper gallery is where tourists have access, whereas there's limited access on the ground floor.

InsideThe sections that are off-limits for tourists are the doorway from where the Byzantine emperor entered the inner narthex, the mosaics depicting Emperor Leo IV bowing to Christ, the oak-and-brass Imperial Door, the marble-paneled walls, and the omphalion where emperors were crowned.

The Reason

Hagia Sophia is an incredible testimony to the architectural brilliance and opulence of the Byzantine Empire. It is what completes and even distinguishes Istanbul's skyline. However, the decision to revise the rules of entry for tourists is a result of over-tourism and overcrowding, which happened when it was converted into a mosque and entry was made free. According to reports, the number of visitors rose significantly, reaching 13.6 million in 2022, leading to cases of vandalism.

Additional Information

Although now a visitor does not have access to many beautiful mosaics and elements inside, the Hagia Sophia is still worth a visit as it houses a rich history crucial to the region, and its architectural beauty remains unparalleled. Here are more things to know about visiting the Hagia Sophia:

• A visit typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour.

• Hagia Sophia is open to visitors every day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. However, during prayer hours, the mosque is partially open to tourists and non-worshippers, with barriers separating the prayer section.

• Hagia Sophia remains open on all days, however, tourists are not given entry during the noon prayers on Fridays.

• The opening hours of this place vary according to prayer timings which depend on the day and the position of the sun. There are five daily prayers, and the Friday noon prayer is the most important.