Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Blue Mosque
Istanbul, Turkey
Sultanahmet Mosque, known for its six minarets and blue Iznik tiles.
Church, mosque or temple · Turkey · Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
A sixth-century domed masterpiece that has been a church and a mosque.
UNESCO World Heritage about 75 min
For storytellers
Why Hagia Sophia matters
Hagia Sophia has dominated the Istanbul skyline for around fifteen centuries. Built as a Byzantine cathedral, it later became a mosque, then a museum, and is now a mosque again, open to visitors. Inside, the enormous dome seems to float, and gold mosaics catch the light. It's a place of enormous presence.
Talking points
- The dome was a marvel of engineering.
- It has served several faiths over time.
- Dress modestly and expect queues.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
Good to know: Dress modestly; arrive early to avoid long queues.
More in Istanbul
Palace · UNESCO
Topkapi Palace
Istanbul, Turkey
The home of Ottoman sultans for centuries, with courtyards, treasure and Bosphorus views.
Historic site · UNESCO
Basilica Cistern
Istanbul, Turkey
A vast underground Byzantine water reservoir with hundreds of columns.
Market
Grand Bazaar
Istanbul, Turkey
A huge covered market of lanes selling carpets, ceramics, jewellery and lamps.
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Suleymaniye Mosque
Istanbul, Turkey
A grand sixteenth-century mosque by the architect Sinan, on a hill above the Golden Horn.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.