The Hagia Sophia, constructed as a Christian cathedral in the 6th century, later served as a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and became a museum in 1934 under the secular Turkish Republic.

As such, it stands as a potent symbol of both Byzantine and Ottoman histories, reflecting Istanbul’s multilayered cultural and religious heritage.

In 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan converted Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, framing the move as a restoration of Islamic and Ottoman heritage and marking it as a historic moment for Turkish Muslims.

This reconversion has sparked both religious and political criticisms.

Religious leaders, notably from the Greek Orthodox Church, labeled it an “ill-advised decision,” arguing that it undermined religious tolerance and Turkey’s history of multicultural coexistence.

International actors, including UNESCO, Greece, and the United States, expressed concerns about ensuring universal access and preserving the site for all faiths.

The UNESCO World Heritage status prompted official calls for a visitor management plan and careful conservation; Turkey dismissed such criticism as biased and insisted conservation was ongoing and tourists would retain access.

Political analysts widely interpret Erdogan’s move as appealing to his Islamic-nationalist voter base during a period of domestic uncertainty, suggesting it was designed to consolidate support amid economic and electoral pressures.

Some critics contend this decision threatens Turkey’s secular and multicultural principles.

As a tour guide, it is advisable to acknowledge the site’s unique status bridging Christian and Islamic heritage, note ongoing access and conservation efforts, and diplomatically present the reconversion as a reflection of Turkey’s evolving identity and political landscape, recognized and sometimes contested by the global community.

The Hagia Sophia, constructed as a Christian cathedral in the 6th century, later served as a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and became a museum in 1934 under the secular Turkish Republic.

Title:

Content: >
December 9, 2021

Christian leaders look forward to Turkey's new law on religious foundations

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities whose places of worship are entrusted to and managed by their governing bodies

Religious minorities in Turkey are looking forward to the increasingly Islamo-nationalist government making good its promise of outreach to non-Muslims by giving them freedom to establish and run their religious and social institutions.

The Turkish government is preparing to issue a new regulation on the administrative management of foundations linked to non-Muslim faith communities, which have been paralyzed for years by a legislative impasse that blocks the renewal of their governing bodies.

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities such as Armenians and Assyrians, whose places of worship – many of them historic --, other real estate and public institutions are entrusted to and managed by foundations.

Burhan Ersoy, head of the state-run Directorate of the Foundations, has confirmed that the plan for the drafting of a new regulation concerning the elections for the assignment of offices within the foundations has come into being, Fides reported.

The draft of the text has been drawn up, taking into account requests and proposals from the various minority communities, and it is expected that the new rules, after obtaining government approval, would be implemented by April 2022.

The previous electoral regulation for the top management of foundations had been suspended in 2013, after the government chose to establish new procedures to make the management of real estate more functional and transparent.

This led to some confusion with representatives of the various minority communities unable to come to a consensus to either accept or reject the new electoral rules, Ersoy said.

The Syrian Orthodox Christian Süleyman Can Ustabaşı, current representative of the non-Muslim Foundations within the Assembly of Foundations, has said that the structure of foundations and their membership profiles had changed over time.

The Turkish government already had consultations with the representatives of religious minorities to resolve the dispute over board elections for their foundations.

But Ustabaşı now urges Turkish authorities to carry out another consultation with representatives of minority communities before the new text is to be implemented in 2022.

The legal status of the Foundations is still based on the Peace Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923 by Turkey and the Entente powers (British Empire, France and Russian Empire) victorious from the First World War.

The treaty guaranteed equality before the laws and the freedom to promote and manage "religious and social institutions" for non-Muslim communities in Turkey.

However, the state had seized properties run by these foundations and had to contend with litigation as these foundations claimed the rights guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne.

Also, starting from 1936, legislative provisions had allowed foundations of non-Muslim communities to acquire new properties. But in 1974, this guarantee was canceled and the state begun seizing assets acquired by these foundations.

Between 2013 and 2018 about 1,084 properties were returned to the foundations linked to non-Muslim communities, and 20 places of worship restored and given back to the foundations, according to official data.

Greek Orthodox Laki Vingas, in a speech published by the Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos, said that the legislative deadlock on the question of the regulation of the foundations has had a negative effect on the life of the different ecclesial communities.

The block in the processes of renewal of the governing bodies of foundations had led to the expulsion of young people from the institutions linked to their communities, and also that many voluntary activities were "unfortunately interrupted".

Non-Muslim places of worship

Within the general Assembly of the Turkish Foundations are some 167 minority foundations. The Turkish Greek community has 77, the highest number of foundations. The Armenian community has 54 and the Jewish community has 19 foundations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a cabinet meeting held on October 25 announced that authorities had put on the agenda the question of the elections of the directorates of the foundations linked to religious minorities.

He also spoke of fundamental tools for the management of assets and resources destined for non-Muslim places of worship.

The issue of the foundations come at a time when Turkish authorities have expelled more and more Protestant Christians -- foreigners and Turkish converts-- on grounds they constitute a "threat to national security".

Turkey had also recently transformed museums into mosques, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora.

Both churches had been turned into museums after the end of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of modern Turkey.

The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora was built by the Byzantines in the 5th century. The Ottomans then turned it into a mosque after they captured Constantinople in 1453. And it remained a Muslim worship space until the end of the Second World War when it was transformed into a museum.

The same happened to the Hagia Sophia Museum in Iznik, and the high-profile reconversion of the Hagia Sophia Museum, Istanbul's most identifiable monument.

Many observers believe that President Erdogan, weakened internally by a bad economy and a lack of political perspective, is compensating with erasing part of the country's multiculturalism, aimed at shoring up the ranks of his Islamo-nationalist base.

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How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Sultan Mehmed II converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque,

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Served as the central church of Byzantine Christianity,

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

Symbolized Turkey's secular reforms under Ataturk

When was Hagia Sophia built and under whose rule?

As such, it stands as a potent symbol of both Byzantine and Ottoman histories, reflecting Istanbul’s multilayered cultural and religious heritage.

Title:

Content: After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Hundreds of worshippers filled the narrow streets of Istanbul's Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers ringing out from the newly inaugurated Kariye Mosque.

Once known as the Chora Church, the site spent the last 79 years as a museum. But it is now the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While viewed as a triumph by many Turkish Muslims, the Greek Orthodox Church has decried it as an "ill-advised decision" that "makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom."

Chora's conversion was announced shortly after Hagia Sophia's, but its opening for prayer was delayed by years of restoration work.

The showing for the first Friday prayers at Kariye was relatively quiet compared to Hagia Sophia, which drew hundreds of thousands who filled the streets with prayer rugs for blocks and blocks away from the building. By contrast, the crowd on Friday was relatively average for a mosque in one of Istanbul's more religiously conservative neighborhoods, where Friday worshippers frequently spill out onto the streets.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. Despite their conversions, they remained revered by Orthodox Christians. After the founding of a secular Turkish Republic in the early 20th century, the decision was made for both to be neither mosque nor church but simply museums.

"Both Hagia Sophia and Chora embodied Byzantine and Ottoman pasts, and they became symbols of co-existence and multi-faith living practices. Their conversion fundamentally implies a hierarchy, prioritizing the Islamic past over all other layers, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, et al," Dr. Özgür Kaymak, a lecturer and researcher on minority rights at Istanbul's MEF University, told Religion News Service in an email.

Rededicating the sites as mosques is more than just a status change. According to Islamic tradition, artwork of human figures are forbidden in places of prayer, while in Orthodox Churches, icons of Christ, saints and other biblical figures are a defining feature.

In Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Jesus and Mary have been covered with curtains since the conversion. While Erdoğan promised Hagia Sophia would remain fully accessible and free to all visitors, Turkey reneged on that earlier this year, reimposing an entrance fee on tourists and relegating them to the upper level, while the main floor is exclusive to Muslim worshippers.

Observers have also criticized the Turkish Directorate of Religion's caretaking of the site, noting damage that did not exist when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Though Chora is significantly smaller than Hagia Sophia, it is home to some of the best-preserved examples of late-Byzantine art, including mosaics, icons and frescoes, and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"For us it's a very important place because it remembers our culture and our traditions here," Father Evangelos Markantonis, an Orthodox priest who was leading a group of theology students to Chora on Friday, told Religion News Service.

"Though we cannot venerate as Orthodox Christians, we have to try to find things we can be united on. Only with dialogue and good deeds can we continue our lives," Markantonis, who is also a professor at the University of Athens, said when asked about the controversy.

Erdoğan had long refused calls from his right to convert churches like Hagia Sophia and Chora, telling supporters in 2018 to fill the nearby Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known in English as the Blue Mosque) before they talked about needing to pray in Hagia Sophia.

Nonetheless, he made an about-turn in 2020.

"My dear nation, the conquest of Istanbul and the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque are among the most glorious chapters in Turkish history," Erdoğan said at the time in a speech inaugurating the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

"This is the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to, Greek Constantinople has become Turkish Istanbul," he added, quoting the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

"The resurrection of Hagia Sophia heralds the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is the footsteps of the will of Muslims across the world to come out of the interregnum," Erdoğan said in his concluding remarks.

Chora's opening as the Kariye Mosque comes just weeks after Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its largest electoral defeat in two decades during Turkey's nationwide municipal elections.

"The recent conversion of Chora into a mosque may be due to Erdoğan's many problems, including his geopolitical power politics, his appeal to religio-nationalism to revive his electoral popularity after the March elections or his tactic to divert attention from Turkey's economic downturn," Kaymak said.

Many analysts have attributed the loss to AKP bleeding votes to the more Islamist-leaning New Welfare Party, which has pressured Erdogan over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed its rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.

"This mosque is one of the symbols of the Conquest. We are proud and happy. There are very beautiful frescoes inside. They were also nicely renovated before they were closed. May it be good for our country and our nation," a bystander, Ahmet Öteyüzoğlu, told Turkish media.

"Thank God for these days. Not everyone has the opportunity in their lifetime," another bystander named Mehmet Çelik told the Turkish news service Anadolu Agency, in reference to having been able to pray at both the rededicated Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosques.

However, Greece, the U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian institutions worldwide have all criticized the decision to revert the structure into a mosque.

"I want to publicly express my intense dissatisfaction, interpreting the feelings of all Greek women and men, for the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Istanbul itself as a crossroads of cultures," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said shortly before leaving for Turkey for a planned meeting with Erdogan.

"We encourage the Turkish government to preserve and ensure access to sites and buildings that have hosted different religious communities in a way that respects their diverse histories," a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions from Greek media.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet another sign of that government's contempt for Turkey's rich Orthodox Christian heritage but further imperils the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the remaining Christians of that land," the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement.

© Religion News Service

How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

In 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan converted Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, framing the move as a restoration of Islamic and Ottoman heritage and marking it as a historic moment for Turkish Muslims.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

This reconversion has sparked both religious and political criticisms.

Religious leaders, notably from the Greek Orthodox Church, labeled it an “ill-advised decision,” arguing that it undermined religious tolerance and Turkey’s history of multicultural coexistence.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

International actors, including UNESCO, Greece, and the United States, expressed concerns about ensuring universal access and preserving the site for all faiths.

The UNESCO World Heritage status prompted official calls for a visitor management plan and careful conservation; Turkey dismissed such criticism as biased and insisted conservation was ongoing and tourists would retain access.

Title:

Content: [ditty_news_ticker id="27897"] Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia - Orthodox Christian Laity

Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia

0

Source: Greek Reporter

A still from a recently released video shows visitors rushing to take cover as fragments fall from the dome of Hagia Sophia. Credit: Daily Motion/BirGün

A video from 2022 that came to light recently shows fragments falling on visitors from the dome of Hagia Sophia, the former epicenter of Christian worship at Constantinople, today’s Istanbul.

The footage released by the Turkish newspaper, BirGün, raises serious questions over the safety of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral, now a mosque.

BirGün notably quoted officials as saying that “pieces are falling from the roof, due to the humidity created by the crowd, but no precautions are being taken”.

The president of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar, argued for restoration of the monument as soon as possible, suggesting that “If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse with the first earthquake.”

The monument was restored as a mosque three years ago after serving as a museum from 1935-2020 and has since received 21 million visitors, according to Turkey’s tourism and culture minister.

Yasar added that when the church was a museum, the scientific council overseeing it urged that groups of no more than 25 people should be allowed to enter the building at any one time.

This enormous lift in visitation has likely brought to the forefront the need for repairs and it was indeed reported in September that the Turkish government had decided to start long-term maintenance of Hagia Sophia.

Turkey to implement visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia

In early October Turkish historian Ilber Ortayli expressed fears that the large number of visitors to Hagia Sophia could lead to a catastrophic structural failure if not addressed immediately.

Writing in the Hürriyet daily, Ortayli said that the monument, which attracts three million pilgrims annually apart from tourists, has undergone significant damage since its conversion into a mosque.

He asserted that even a modest number of 20-30 thousand people annually, including scientists, historians, archaeologists, representatives of the Muslim religion, politicians, and public officials, could be considered excessive for the endurance of the monument.

In June 2022 a number of tiles of the ancient marble floors in Hagia Sophia were damaged by heavy machines used to clean the site.

In April 2022, The Turkish Association of Art Historians stated that the historic Imperial Gate in Hagia Sophia had been badly damaged.

The group posted a picture clearly depicting the damage to the oak wood of the 15-century-old gate.

Turkey unveiled plans in late October for a visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia, including charging foreign tourists with an entrance fee to be implemented starting Jan. 15.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that extensive restoration work is underway in various sections of Hagia Sophia, now a mosque, with plans to progress to other parts upon their completion.

He emphasized that, based on UNESCO’s recommendations, a visitor management plan would be enforced to enhance the quality and safety of visits while preserving the historical significance of the site.

Related Articles
Officials argue for repairs to Hagia Sophia after footage shows fragments falling from the dome – Neos Kosmos

Share.

Political analysts widely interpret Erdogan’s move as appealing to his Islamic-nationalist voter base during a period of domestic uncertainty, suggesting it was designed to consolidate support amid economic and electoral pressures.

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Some critics contend this decision threatens Turkey’s secular and multicultural principles.

As a tour guide, it is advisable to acknowledge the site’s unique status bridging Christian and Islamic heritage, note ongoing access and conservation efforts, and diplomatically present the reconversion as a reflection of Turkey’s evolving identity and political landscape, recognized and sometimes contested by the global community.

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices


The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is one of the world’s most renowned landmarks, with a history deeply entwined with the cultural and religious evolution of the city.

It was first built in the sixth century as the principal cathedral of the Byzantine Empire and served as the foremost center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity for nearly a millennium.

When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque, marking a pivotal shift as the city became the heart of the Ottoman and Islamic world.

In 1934, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the secular Turkish Republic, transformed it into a museum—a gesture meant to symbolize modern Turkey’s commitment to secularism and coexistence among different faiths.

Its cultural value and blended heritage led to its inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, celebrated both as a Christian marvel and a testament to Islamic achievement .

The 2020 decision by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reconvert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque sparked substantial controversy, both in Turkey and around the world.

This action followed a court ruling that overturned Atatürk’s museum decree, after which Erdogan declared the reconversion an act of restoring Turkey’s Islamic legacy.

He invoked strong religious symbolism, calling it “the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to,” language that resonated deeply with his nationalist and Islamist supporters.

Analysts widely interpreted the move as an effort to bolster Erdogan’s political standing among conservative voters during a period of domestic economic challenges .

Criticism focused on two main areas: religious inclusivity and political motivations.

Many Christian groups, notably the Greek Orthodox Church, and Western governments condemned the change, expressing concern that it prioritized one faith’s heritage while undermining centuries of religious tolerance.

They argued that the Hagia Sophia represents not only Turkey’s but humanity’s shared heritage, and that its role as a museum was an important symbol of dialogue and coexistence between cultures.

The U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian communities emphasized the need to maintain access and to respect the site’s diverse history .

UNESCO, whose guidelines require notification and consultation about changes affecting World Heritage Sites, criticized the reconversion for proceeding without their input.

The organization expressed concerns about both the physical preservation of the Hagia Sophia and its continued openness and accessibility for people of all backgrounds.

Following the reconversion, Christian mosaics on the walls are covered during prayers, and the main sanctuary has become primarily a space for Muslim worship, while tourists are directed to the upper galleries and must pay an entrance fee.

This arrangement has prompted worries about restricted access and the preservation of Christian artwork, as some fear that repeated covering and high foot traffic may put ancient mosaics and features at risk .

At the same time, Turkish authorities maintain that these changes enable religious worship while ensuring continued tourist access.

They have established separate pathways for tourists and worshippers and instituted restoration projects, which they claim align with UNESCO’s standards for conservation and visitor management .

Despite such assurances, critics believe the move is part of a wider government agenda to reinforce Islamic identity and to distance the nation from its secular, multicultural foundation .

As a tour guide, you may encounter concerns from European and Western visitors regarding these developments.

Diplomatically addressing this issue benefits from a balanced and factual approach.

Acknowledging the Hagia Sophia’s complex and multi-religious history helps visitors understand that it remains significant to people of various backgrounds.

It is important to note that preservation and conservation are ongoing, and that all visitors are still welcome—though under new arrangements designed to protect the building and respect its current function.

By highlighting that the Hagia Sophia is one of the rare structures where both Christian and Islamic heritage converge, you can encourage appreciation for its layered past.

This perspective reassures visitors that, despite the change in status, efforts continue to share its rich history with the world .

In summary, the Hagia Sophia’s reconversion to a mosque is controversial because it taps into historic, religious, and political sensitivities.

Critics cite concerns about religious inclusivity, political motives, restricted access, and preservation challenges, while the Turkish government frames the move as a restoration of historical tradition.

The site continues to evolve, and ongoing dialogue ensures its heritage remains accessible.

Framing the story as one of cultural convergence and shared legacy allows for a diplomatic response to visitor questions and concerns .

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is one of the world’s most renowned landmarks, with a history deeply entwined with the cultural and religious evolution of the city.

Title:

Content: After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Hundreds of worshippers filled the narrow streets of Istanbul's Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers ringing out from the newly inaugurated Kariye Mosque.

Once known as the Chora Church, the site spent the last 79 years as a museum. But it is now the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While viewed as a triumph by many Turkish Muslims, the Greek Orthodox Church has decried it as an "ill-advised decision" that "makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom."

Chora's conversion was announced shortly after Hagia Sophia's, but its opening for prayer was delayed by years of restoration work.

The showing for the first Friday prayers at Kariye was relatively quiet compared to Hagia Sophia, which drew hundreds of thousands who filled the streets with prayer rugs for blocks and blocks away from the building. By contrast, the crowd on Friday was relatively average for a mosque in one of Istanbul's more religiously conservative neighborhoods, where Friday worshippers frequently spill out onto the streets.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. Despite their conversions, they remained revered by Orthodox Christians. After the founding of a secular Turkish Republic in the early 20th century, the decision was made for both to be neither mosque nor church but simply museums.

"Both Hagia Sophia and Chora embodied Byzantine and Ottoman pasts, and they became symbols of co-existence and multi-faith living practices. Their conversion fundamentally implies a hierarchy, prioritizing the Islamic past over all other layers, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, et al," Dr. Özgür Kaymak, a lecturer and researcher on minority rights at Istanbul's MEF University, told Religion News Service in an email.

Rededicating the sites as mosques is more than just a status change. According to Islamic tradition, artwork of human figures are forbidden in places of prayer, while in Orthodox Churches, icons of Christ, saints and other biblical figures are a defining feature.

In Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Jesus and Mary have been covered with curtains since the conversion. While Erdoğan promised Hagia Sophia would remain fully accessible and free to all visitors, Turkey reneged on that earlier this year, reimposing an entrance fee on tourists and relegating them to the upper level, while the main floor is exclusive to Muslim worshippers.

Observers have also criticized the Turkish Directorate of Religion's caretaking of the site, noting damage that did not exist when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Though Chora is significantly smaller than Hagia Sophia, it is home to some of the best-preserved examples of late-Byzantine art, including mosaics, icons and frescoes, and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"For us it's a very important place because it remembers our culture and our traditions here," Father Evangelos Markantonis, an Orthodox priest who was leading a group of theology students to Chora on Friday, told Religion News Service.

"Though we cannot venerate as Orthodox Christians, we have to try to find things we can be united on. Only with dialogue and good deeds can we continue our lives," Markantonis, who is also a professor at the University of Athens, said when asked about the controversy.

Erdoğan had long refused calls from his right to convert churches like Hagia Sophia and Chora, telling supporters in 2018 to fill the nearby Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known in English as the Blue Mosque) before they talked about needing to pray in Hagia Sophia.

Nonetheless, he made an about-turn in 2020.

"My dear nation, the conquest of Istanbul and the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque are among the most glorious chapters in Turkish history," Erdoğan said at the time in a speech inaugurating the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

"This is the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to, Greek Constantinople has become Turkish Istanbul," he added, quoting the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

"The resurrection of Hagia Sophia heralds the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is the footsteps of the will of Muslims across the world to come out of the interregnum," Erdoğan said in his concluding remarks.

Chora's opening as the Kariye Mosque comes just weeks after Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its largest electoral defeat in two decades during Turkey's nationwide municipal elections.

"The recent conversion of Chora into a mosque may be due to Erdoğan's many problems, including his geopolitical power politics, his appeal to religio-nationalism to revive his electoral popularity after the March elections or his tactic to divert attention from Turkey's economic downturn," Kaymak said.

Many analysts have attributed the loss to AKP bleeding votes to the more Islamist-leaning New Welfare Party, which has pressured Erdogan over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed its rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.

"This mosque is one of the symbols of the Conquest. We are proud and happy. There are very beautiful frescoes inside. They were also nicely renovated before they were closed. May it be good for our country and our nation," a bystander, Ahmet Öteyüzoğlu, told Turkish media.

"Thank God for these days. Not everyone has the opportunity in their lifetime," another bystander named Mehmet Çelik told the Turkish news service Anadolu Agency, in reference to having been able to pray at both the rededicated Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosques.

However, Greece, the U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian institutions worldwide have all criticized the decision to revert the structure into a mosque.

"I want to publicly express my intense dissatisfaction, interpreting the feelings of all Greek women and men, for the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Istanbul itself as a crossroads of cultures," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said shortly before leaving for Turkey for a planned meeting with Erdogan.

"We encourage the Turkish government to preserve and ensure access to sites and buildings that have hosted different religious communities in a way that respects their diverse histories," a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions from Greek media.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet another sign of that government's contempt for Turkey's rich Orthodox Christian heritage but further imperils the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the remaining Christians of that land," the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement.

© Religion News Service

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Served as the central church of Byzantine Christianity,

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

Why is Hagia Sophia considered an architectural milestone in world history?

It became a landmark of architectural innovation

It was first built in the sixth century as the principal cathedral of the Byzantine Empire and served as the foremost center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity for nearly a millennium.

Title:

Content: New rules come into force for the visit of Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey - Sunrise Gate
Tuesday 16 January 2024 2: 04 PM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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New rules come into effect for visiting Hagia Sophia mosque in Turkey
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Published on: Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM | Last updated on Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM
The project for the Hagia Sophia mosque was closest to the heart of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – but it was also the project that drew international criticism.
In the summer of 2020, Erdogan restored Hagia Sophia to be a mosque after it was originally a church, converted into an Ottoman mosque, converted into a museum.
At the time, Erdogan assured citizens that entry fees would be abolished, adding that the cultural edifice would remain open to everyone – Muslims or non-Muslims alike.
There will be another major change from January 15, with access to the Hagia Sophia restricted and visitors will have to pay fees again.
Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Arsoy hopes this will improve coexistence between religious and tourist visitors.
Arsoy said recently that tourist visitors are making noise and disrupting calm and prayer.
Until recently, visitors and worshippers were allowed to enter the interior of Hagia Sophia together, with barriers and signs keeping a certain distance between them.
However, from now on, worshippers and tourists will be introduced through different entrances.
Although worshippers can use the same entrances as before, tourists will be guided through an upstairs hallway.
According to Arsoy, tour guides will not be allowed to accompany visitors through the corridors, and earphones will be used instead.
“Our priority there is prayer, ” Arsoy said, noting that the building is a world cultural heritage site and should therefore remain open to all visitors around the world.
Zuleiha Duman, 29, who returned to Istanbul from Germany to see Hagia Sophia after it was converted into a mosque, said she found it taking away.
Welcoming the new rules, she said: “As long as the entrance fee isn ’ t too high, I think it ’ s acceptable. ”
“Why shouldn ’ t Turkey and the government take advantage of this place?
These funds can be channeled to preserve more religious places. ”
Hagia Sophia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Istanbul ’ s history since 1985.
Built by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was the largest place of worship in Christianity for nearly a thousand years, it was the main church during the Byzantine Empire, and from the seventh century, the emperor was crowned inside.
After the Ottomans entered Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.
On the orders of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the building was converted into a museum in 1934 until the summer of 2020.
Hagia Sophia is as symbolically important to Orthodox Christians around the world as St. Peter ’ s Basilica is to Catholics.
After the building was converted into a mosque, criticism poured in from the Greek Orthodox Church.
The UNESCO Foundation also criticized the decision without consultation.
For Erdogan, turning the place into a mosque was his “childhood dream, ” as he himself said, and pleasing to religious voters.
A few external changes were made at the time, for example, a green carpet was placed above the marble floor.
It seems clear that all these things did not detract from the popularity of this teacher.
According to official statistics, some 13.6 million people visited the Hagia Sophia landmark in 2022, not all of them from Europe.
The number of visitors from Indonesia in particular has risen, Hagia Sophia Imam Binyamin Topoglu told Turkey ’ s Anadolu news agency in 2023.
The amount of the fees has not yet been determined.
Tourism Minister Ersoy says the proceeds will be spent on cultural assets, for excavation or preservation of monuments such as the Hagia Sophia.
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What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Served as the central church of Byzantine Christianity,

When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque, marking a pivotal shift as the city became the heart of the Ottoman and Islamic world.

How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Sultan Mehmed II converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque,

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

In 1934, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the secular Turkish Republic, transformed it into a museum—a gesture meant to symbolize modern Turkey’s commitment to secularism and coexistence among different faiths.

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

Symbolized Turkey's secular reforms under Ataturk

Its cultural value and blended heritage led to its inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, celebrated both as a Christian marvel and a testament to Islamic achievement .

The 2020 decision by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reconvert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque sparked substantial controversy, both in Turkey and around the world.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

This action followed a court ruling that overturned Atatürk’s museum decree, after which Erdogan declared the reconversion an act of restoring Turkey’s Islamic legacy.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

He invoked strong religious symbolism, calling it “the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to,” language that resonated deeply with his nationalist and Islamist supporters.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Analysts widely interpreted the move as an effort to bolster Erdogan’s political standing among conservative voters during a period of domestic economic challenges .

Title:

Content: >
December 9, 2021

Christian leaders look forward to Turkey's new law on religious foundations

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities whose places of worship are entrusted to and managed by their governing bodies

Religious minorities in Turkey are looking forward to the increasingly Islamo-nationalist government making good its promise of outreach to non-Muslims by giving them freedom to establish and run their religious and social institutions.

The Turkish government is preparing to issue a new regulation on the administrative management of foundations linked to non-Muslim faith communities, which have been paralyzed for years by a legislative impasse that blocks the renewal of their governing bodies.

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities such as Armenians and Assyrians, whose places of worship – many of them historic --, other real estate and public institutions are entrusted to and managed by foundations.

Burhan Ersoy, head of the state-run Directorate of the Foundations, has confirmed that the plan for the drafting of a new regulation concerning the elections for the assignment of offices within the foundations has come into being, Fides reported.

The draft of the text has been drawn up, taking into account requests and proposals from the various minority communities, and it is expected that the new rules, after obtaining government approval, would be implemented by April 2022.

The previous electoral regulation for the top management of foundations had been suspended in 2013, after the government chose to establish new procedures to make the management of real estate more functional and transparent.

This led to some confusion with representatives of the various minority communities unable to come to a consensus to either accept or reject the new electoral rules, Ersoy said.

The Syrian Orthodox Christian Süleyman Can Ustabaşı, current representative of the non-Muslim Foundations within the Assembly of Foundations, has said that the structure of foundations and their membership profiles had changed over time.

The Turkish government already had consultations with the representatives of religious minorities to resolve the dispute over board elections for their foundations.

But Ustabaşı now urges Turkish authorities to carry out another consultation with representatives of minority communities before the new text is to be implemented in 2022.

The legal status of the Foundations is still based on the Peace Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923 by Turkey and the Entente powers (British Empire, France and Russian Empire) victorious from the First World War.

The treaty guaranteed equality before the laws and the freedom to promote and manage "religious and social institutions" for non-Muslim communities in Turkey.

However, the state had seized properties run by these foundations and had to contend with litigation as these foundations claimed the rights guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne.

Also, starting from 1936, legislative provisions had allowed foundations of non-Muslim communities to acquire new properties. But in 1974, this guarantee was canceled and the state begun seizing assets acquired by these foundations.

Between 2013 and 2018 about 1,084 properties were returned to the foundations linked to non-Muslim communities, and 20 places of worship restored and given back to the foundations, according to official data.

Greek Orthodox Laki Vingas, in a speech published by the Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos, said that the legislative deadlock on the question of the regulation of the foundations has had a negative effect on the life of the different ecclesial communities.

The block in the processes of renewal of the governing bodies of foundations had led to the expulsion of young people from the institutions linked to their communities, and also that many voluntary activities were "unfortunately interrupted".

Non-Muslim places of worship

Within the general Assembly of the Turkish Foundations are some 167 minority foundations. The Turkish Greek community has 77, the highest number of foundations. The Armenian community has 54 and the Jewish community has 19 foundations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a cabinet meeting held on October 25 announced that authorities had put on the agenda the question of the elections of the directorates of the foundations linked to religious minorities.

He also spoke of fundamental tools for the management of assets and resources destined for non-Muslim places of worship.

The issue of the foundations come at a time when Turkish authorities have expelled more and more Protestant Christians -- foreigners and Turkish converts-- on grounds they constitute a "threat to national security".

Turkey had also recently transformed museums into mosques, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora.

Both churches had been turned into museums after the end of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of modern Turkey.

The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora was built by the Byzantines in the 5th century. The Ottomans then turned it into a mosque after they captured Constantinople in 1453. And it remained a Muslim worship space until the end of the Second World War when it was transformed into a museum.

The same happened to the Hagia Sophia Museum in Iznik, and the high-profile reconversion of the Hagia Sophia Museum, Istanbul's most identifiable monument.

Many observers believe that President Erdogan, weakened internally by a bad economy and a lack of political perspective, is compensating with erasing part of the country's multiculturalism, aimed at shoring up the ranks of his Islamo-nationalist base.

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What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

Criticism focused on two main areas: religious inclusivity and political motivations.

Many Christian groups, notably the Greek Orthodox Church, and Western governments condemned the change, expressing concern that it prioritized one faith’s heritage while undermining centuries of religious tolerance.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

They argued that the Hagia Sophia represents not only Turkey’s but humanity’s shared heritage, and that its role as a museum was an important symbol of dialogue and coexistence between cultures.

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

The U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian communities emphasized the need to maintain access and to respect the site’s diverse history .

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

UNESCO, whose guidelines require notification and consultation about changes affecting World Heritage Sites, criticized the reconversion for proceeding without their input.

What was UNESCO's main complaint about the reconversion?

The organization expressed concerns about both the physical preservation of the Hagia Sophia and its continued openness and accessibility for people of all backgrounds.

Following the reconversion, Christian mosaics on the walls are covered during prayers, and the main sanctuary has become primarily a space for Muslim worship, while tourists are directed to the upper galleries and must pay an entrance fee.

How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Sultan Mehmed II converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque,

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

This arrangement has prompted worries about restricted access and the preservation of Christian artwork, as some fear that repeated covering and high foot traffic may put ancient mosaics and features at risk .

At the same time, Turkish authorities maintain that these changes enable religious worship while ensuring continued tourist access.

They have established separate pathways for tourists and worshippers and instituted restoration projects, which they claim align with UNESCO’s standards for conservation and visitor management .

Despite such assurances, critics believe the move is part of a wider government agenda to reinforce Islamic identity and to distance the nation from its secular, multicultural foundation .

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

As a tour guide, you may encounter concerns from European and Western visitors regarding these developments.

Title:

Content: Gazeta.ru on desktop
for quick access
Install
Not now
In ATOR called an insignificant amount of €25 for the entrance to the mosque of Hagia Sophia
In ATOR warned tourists about the rise in price of tickets to the palace-museums of Istanbul
A rise in prices for tourist services in Istanbul is inevitable due to the weak position of the local currency - the lira.
This was stated in an interview with Gazeta.Ru Vice President of ATOR Arthur Muradyan, commenting on the decision of the authorities to make a visit to the Hagia Sophia mosque for foreigners paid.
From January 15, the entrance will cost €25.
“From the point of view of tourists, the amount of 25 euros, and for a family of two or four people it is 50-100 euros, can not be called some significant expenditure.
On the other hand, of course, some tourists will think about spending money on visiting this attraction.
Of course, it is a landmark for Istanbul, and I think that the Turkish authorities have approached carefully to determine the amount of fees for visiting this architectural monument, ” Muradian said.
In his opinion, following the Hagia Sophia mosque, the authorities can raise prices for entrance tickets to other museums.
“The rise in prices for tourist services is inevitable to some extent due to the not very good fate of the lira, which we have seen in the last few years.
And, of course, tourists should be ready to increase the cost of services related to the use of the tourism infrastructure of Istanbul, ” said ATOR Vice President.
On January 12, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey reported that the entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul for foreign citizens from January 15, 2024 will cost €25.
The ministry explained that when setting the fee for visiting the mosque, they were guided by the recommendations of UNESCO.
Hagia Sophia, which is now called the Great Mosque of Hagia Sophia, was erected in the 6th century under the emperor Justinian and for more than a thousand years remained the largest Christian temple in the world.
In 1453, after the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks, Saint Sophia was converted into a mosque.
In 1934, the temple was given the status of a museum, it retained both Christian and Muslim decoration.
In July 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the resumption of Muslim worship in Hagia Sophia.
Entrance to the mosque was free for all visitors, including tourists.
Earlier it became known about the destruction of a mosque in Gaza after Israeli shelling.
What do you think?
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Diplomatically addressing this issue benefits from a balanced and factual approach.

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices

Acknowledging the Hagia Sophia’s complex and multi-religious history helps visitors understand that it remains significant to people of various backgrounds.

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices

What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

It is important to note that preservation and conservation are ongoing, and that all visitors are still welcome—though under new arrangements designed to protect the building and respect its current function.

By highlighting that the Hagia Sophia is one of the rare structures where both Christian and Islamic heritage converge, you can encourage appreciation for its layered past.

What did the CALHSC president urge regarding decisions on Hagia Sophia?

Consider both Muslim and Christian voices

This perspective reassures visitors that, despite the change in status, efforts continue to share its rich history with the world .

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Content: Olivia Caputo’s Luxe Escape to Malta! Plus! Her Weekend In Istanbul

by The Daily Front Row

Influencer and model Olivia Caputo visited Malta recently and writes in with highlights from her Mediterranean adventure!

Interested in time traveling? Have a preference for the finer things in life? Look no further than Malta for your next luxury trip. I have never experienced a trip like this, and by the end of this travel diary I hope you’ll have added Malta to your bucket list. Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation 60 miles south of Sicily with a fascinating history. You’ll be transported instantly to medieval times as you walk through its fortified cities – but don’t worry – you won’t need to compromise on luxury just because you are visiting sites dating back to the 18th century.

I began my trip by being spoiled on Turkish Airlines. There aren’t any direct flights to Malta from New York, so we connected in Istanbul. After experiencing the true treat that is Turkish Airlines Business Class, I wouldn’t mind an even longer flight with them in future. The service was impeccable, and the food was delicious. Put it this way: I would be a regular at a Turkish Airlines restaurant if they had one!

I spent my first three nights in central Malta at the Corinthia Palace. The Corinthia Palace is exactly what you would expect from a palace. It’s clean, comfortable, and secure, with luxury touches in every corner and the hotel has a rich history. In 1962, it opened as a restaurant in a restored, centuries-old villa. A few years later, the hotel was added as an extension to the villa and more recently, the Athenaeum Spa was added. I spent my first morning in Malta unwinding at the spa after the long flight, and it was everything my body needed. I spent time in the private Vitality Suite before my massage treatment. The Vitality Suite is a true oasis equipped with a sauna, steam room, showers, a heated pool, and more, to prepare you for your treatment. It’s the key to recovering from jet lag, if you ask me.

One of my favorite activities in Malta was taking daily walking tours around the island’s old fortified cities and learning about their history. As soon as I met my guide, Clive Cortis of Malta Private Tour, I knew I was in good hands. Clive’s extensive knowledge painted a perfect picture of Maltese history.

On the main island of Malta, the two must-see cities are Mdina and Valletta. Mdina, the old capital city of Malta and now nicknamed the “Silent City,” sits strategically atop a hill and is hard to miss. I immediately noticed the city when driving through the countryside on my first day. When walking the narrow winding streets of Mdina, the quietness of the “Silent City” helps you to imagine what it was really like to once live there. There is something truly mystical about being in a fortress with panoramic views of the island.

Valletta, the capital city, is quite a bit livelier than Mdina. Valletta was founded in 1566 and sits on a peninsula between two natural harbors and it’s filled with historical landmarks including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, The Saluting Battery, and stunning views of the Grand Harbor. There are also many restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can try some traditional Maltese dishes like pastizzi or lampuki.

After my stay at the Corinthia, I spent a couple of nights in the Malta Marriott Hotel and Spa. The Marriott is in a great location to explore more of Malta. The hotel sits on St. Julian’s Peninsula, which is very close to Valletta.

My first order of business while staying in this area was visiting two of the most esteemed designers in Malta. The Charles & Ron Café is an absolute must-visit for fashion enthusiasts. You can enjoy a decadent breakfast with a view of the latest Charles & Ron runway collection displayed on the wall in front of you. Charles & Ron creates beautiful pieces with bold colors and structures, designed to make you stand out in a crowd. You can expect to see one of their upcoming collections at NYFW soon, COVID restrictions permitting.

Speaking of delicious food, the food and wine scene in Malta is exquisite. Many restaurants source local ingredients and the quality shows. My favorite culinary experience of the trip was at Taste History. It’s an opportunity to quite literally taste history. Curators and chefs come together to analyze artifacts, paintings, and documents, and then recreate recipes from the 18th century in Malta. At Taste History, I indulged in local mussels, charred octopus, a spicy lamb dish with eggplant and local sheep’s milk yogurt, and coffee flavored sorbet. The sorbet the most interesting dish because we’re talking about a recipe from a time when Malta had no refrigeration or ice. How was this possible? They would take a special boat to Sicily and get ice from Mount Etna and add salt to keep the ice frozen on the journey back to Malta. Then they mixed brewed coffee, vanilla, and sugar, with the ice to create a sorbet. It was comparable to what we know now as shaved ice, but fascinating that in the 18th century, the industrious Maltese were able to create this refreshing frozen dessert. Taste History was easily the most interesting culinary experience of my life.

Finally, I traveled to Gozo, a smaller island off Malta’s northwest coast. Gozo is just a short ferry ride away, but it feels like a remote island getaway. It’s much smaller than the main island and has a slower pace. Don’t miss a visit to see the view from the Mixta Cave, located on the eastern side of Ramla Bay. This may have been my favorite view in all of Gozo. After taking a walk down an unassuming path, the cave opens up to breathtaking views of the Ramla Il-Hamra Beach. Gorgeous!

I only spent one night in Gozo and to make the most of it, I stayed at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, a tranquil hideaway near the coast. The service at the Kempinski was impeccable—the staff really goes above and beyond to ensure you have a relaxing, comfortable stay. The hotel is located in close proximity to Goza’s must-see landmarks like the iconic Dwejra Bay and Mixta Cave. Needless to say, visiting this little Mediterranean island was an absolute dream. I can’t wait to go back and experience the wonder that is Malta all over again.

Olivia’s Weekend in Istanbul

I flew Turkish Airlines from Malta back to New York City and since there are no direct flights, I made a stop in Istanbul and decided to stay the weekend. I had never been to Turkey before and it sure was a Turkish delight.

With such a short stay, I had to make sure I covered the most important things to see. Once I landed, I went straight out to see the sights. I didn’t even check into my hotel. My first stop was the Galata Tower; a medieval stone tower with panoramic views of Istanbul. I’d highly suggest getting tickets to visit the very top to see the breathtaking views at sunset.

After my visit to the Galata Tower, I checked into my hotel, the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, which ended up being the perfect location. Despite the crazy traffic in Istanbul, I was never a long drive from the places I wanted to visit.

When I got to my room and walked out to see the view from my eight floor balcony, I was surprised to see I was far above the clouds. The clouds were sitting just below my balcony—it was crazy! I didn’t end up seeing the complete view from my balcony until the next morning when the clouds and fog had cleared, but the view of the Bosphorus was just the most beautiful sight to wake up to.

On my second day, which was my only full day, I had a jam-packed itinerary. The first half of the day was my favorite of the whole trip. We started the day at the Topkapi Palace Museum and it was more amazing than I could have anticipated. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Topkapi Palace served as the main residence to all of the Ottoman sultans. Today, it still has all the wonder of an ancient palace, but has been transformed into a museum. You can see what the palace looked like when it was a residence, and you can walk into another room and see ancient religious artifacts, like Moses’ staff or Joseph’s turban.

Our next stop was Holy Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century as a Christian church and has been through many changes since then. In subsequent centuries, Hagia Sophia became a mosque, a museum, and then a mosque once again, which it remains today. I felt so small inside those walls. It’s absolutely enormous and just beautiful inside.

The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting art exhibit after art exhibit. Any time I have ever thought of Istanbul, I had never thought of the art scene but let me tell you… it’s taking over. We visited Istanbul Modern, the Istanbul Cinema Museum, and the Atatürk Cultural Center, better known as AKM.

Each of these art exhibits displayed the work of artists not only local to Istanbul, but across the globe. If you are an art aficionado, you must check out the exhibits Istanbul has to offer.

Two nights in Istanbul simply was not enough time—but I am grateful I got a taste of the culture and can’t wait to go back!

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What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

In summary, the Hagia Sophia’s reconversion to a mosque is controversial because it taps into historic, religious, and political sensitivities.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Critics cite concerns about religious inclusivity, political motives, restricted access, and preservation challenges, while the Turkish government frames the move as a restoration of historical tradition.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The site continues to evolve, and ongoing dialogue ensures its heritage remains accessible.

Framing the story as one of cultural convergence and shared legacy allows for a diplomatic response to visitor questions and concerns .