Accommodations near Hagia Sophia Istanbul

Home > Accommodations near Hagia Sophia Istanbul

Accommodation in the area near Saint Sophia

Don't be surprised, when looking for accommodation near Saint Sophia, if you see other terms such as Ayasofya, Hagia Sophia or the Divine Wisdom. These are some of the names that this building, which for centuries was a church and was then converted into a mosque, has received. It is open every day except Mondays and if you don't have accommodation near Saint Sophia you can get there by tram, alighting in Sultanahmet square.

Book accommodation near Saint Sophia, which for centuries was the church with the greatest capacity and the highest dome in Istanbul. It was built in less than six years by the Emperor Constantine (in 360) and became a symbol of Christianity and of the Roman Empire in Byzantium, and was almost mythical for its majesty. After Istanbul was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453, Saint Sophia was transformed into a mosque by Justinian. In 1935 it opened as a museum, after a costly restoration ordered by Mustafa Kemal Atatük, the founder of the Turkish republic.

If you arrive from your accommodation in the area near Saint Sophia you will see that this is a mystical building, for whose construction only the finest materials were used - multi-coloured marble, gold, silver and gems. Its architectural importance is further emphasised as it was the first square based building of this size, and is the fourth largest in the world. It is covered by one central dome and two smaller semi-domes, as well as 20 000 tiles. It is tall (55m), but as you approach from your accommodation in the area near Saint Sophia it is difficult to appreciate its true dimensions, its balanced form camouflages the true height and it is only upon entry that its true glory is revealed.