Entrance Fee Introduced for Foreign Tourists at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Mosque

Starting from January 15, foreign tourists visiting Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Mosque will be charged an entrance fee, announced Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. A separate entrance will be designated for tourists, while the current one will be reserved for those arriving for religious purposes. This move aligns with UNESCO recommendations and global practices. Tourists can explore the mosque using a special audio guide, which can be downloaded or obtained at the entrance for a self-guided tour. Hagia Sophia, initially built as a cathedral in 532-537, later transformed into a mosque, and then a museum, regained its mosque status in July 2020.