Hagia Sophia Review by Well-known Tourism Guide Saffet Emre Tonguç
Well-known tourism guide Saffet Emre Tonguç examined the latest changes in Hagia Sophia on site and shared his observations on this subject. What Has Changed in Hagia Sophia? Returning to Istanbul after a long trip abroad, Tonguç chose to go to Hagia Sophia and see the changes in the structure with his own eyes. Tonguç said, “I didn’t want to talk about it without seeing everything in place,” and examines the new regulations and rules in Hagia Sophia in detail. According to the changes made, Hagia Sophia now consists of two separate parts, a place of worship and a museum, and different rules apply for each part. Since the lower part is used as a mosque, there are important changes such as only worshipers remaining during prayer hours and touristic visits being stopped during these hours. Additionally, the subsection is only open to Turkish citizens and there is a ban on touristic visits for foreigners.
Here’s What Has Changed in Hagia Sophia, Article by Article? New Rules You Should Know Before Going to Hagia Sophia…
- Dividing into Two Parts: Place of Worship and Museum: Hagia Sophia now consists of two separate parts: one part is used as a place of worship, while the other part serves as a museum. Different rules apply for both sections.
- Regulations in Prayer Hours:It was decided that only worshipers would remain in the lower part, which was used as a mosque, during prayer hours and touristic visits would be stopped during these hours.
- Visitor Restrictions:While the lower section is only open to Turkish citizens for worship purposes, foreigners cannot enter this section as a tourist attraction.
- Ticket Fee and Museum Card Application: A ticket must be purchased for the upper part used as a museum, and the ticket price is set at 25 Euros for both Turkish and foreign visitors. In this section, where the Museum Card is not valid, high ticket prices create accessibility problems for some visitors.
- Headscarf Obligation: Female visitors are required to wear headscarves when visiting both sections. For those who do not have a headscarf, there are options that can be purchased at the ticket office.
- Guide Narration Prohibition:The ban on guide narration in the museum section restricts professional guides from working in this area.
- Augmented Reality Applications:The use of augmented reality in museum narration offers visitors a more interactive and informative experience.
- Physical Changes:Structural changes were also made, such as the entrance door and floor changes such as laminated flooring.
These changes directly affect Hagia Sophia’s history, cultural significance and visitor experience, and visitors must adapt to these changes. Here’s What Has Changed in Hagia Sophia, Article by Article? New Rules You Should Know Before Going to Hagia Sophia…
