Istanbul is where Europe meets Asia, and it’s this unique geographical crossover that makes it so vibrant and magnetic. But there’s one piece of its iconic skyline that stands out from the rest of the city.
The Hagia Sophia is a 1,600-year-old Byzantine Cathedral-turned-mosque and one of Istanbul’s most popular attractions – but now, anyone who’s not a Turkish worshipper will have to pay a fee.
And it’s not small. This week, those entering the mosque have had to pass through a ticket booth and pay €25 (£21.50, $27). And while that might sound a bit steep, it is for good reason.
The Hagia Sophia is a Unesco World Heritage site, and it welcomes around 3.5 million visitors each year. To ensure the historic attraction is preserved, Unesco recommended that more needs to be done to control visitor numbers – and so, as part of a wider visitor management plan, security cameras, fire detection and emergency comms systems have been set up, and a new charge has been implemented on foreign visitors.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmer Nuri Ersoy said that the visitor management plan should ‘streamline the flow of visitors, reduce overcrowding and protect the historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia,’ according to the Greek Reporter.
It is well worth the extra care, after all. The building’s journey from a ‘Church of Divine Wisdom’ in 537 AD to a mosque in 1453, to a museum in 1935 and then again to a mosque, reflects the varied history of Istanbul. It has existed since the city was known as Constantinople, all throughout the Ottoman Empire until now.
But some fear these new measures aren’t protective enough. Ilber Ortayli, a Turkish expert, said that even a mere 20-30,000 visitors per year could risk damaging the mosque. He believes it should be closed for restoration, and suggested even its function as a place of worship was stressing its condition, as there is no way of installing toilets or fountains in the building.
Let’s hope the new measures succeed in preserving this iconic feature of the city’s skyline. Planning a trip to the Turkish capital? Here is our list of the best things to do in Istanbul.
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