A major attraction for both domestic and international tourists, Hagia Sophia has welcomed approximately 25 million visitors since it was reopened for worship four years ago.
Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. Then, it served as a mosque until 1934, when it was converted into a museum for 86 years.
The Association for the Service of Historical Artifacts and the Environment sought to annul the Cabinet decision that transformed Hagia Sophia from a mosque into a museum, filing a lawsuit that concluded on July 10, 2020. The 10th Chamber of the Council of State unanimously annulled the Cabinet decision dated November 24, 1934, which allowed the path to worship at Hagia Sophia to be reopened.
On the same day, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed the decree to open Hagia Sophia for worship. Subsequently, the decision was published in the official gazette, stating that Hagia Sophia would be transferred to the Directorate of Religious Affairs.
Hagia Sophia Mosque reopened for worship on July 24, 2020, with the first Friday prayer held after 86 years, attended by President Erdoğan.
The Deputy Mufti of Istanbul noted that Hagia Sophia had served Muslims for centuries after the conquest, and it was reopened for worship following the decision made four years ago.
DAILY AVERAGE OF 50,000 VISITORS
He explained that after Hagia Sophia had been reopened for worship, it received significant interest from both domestic and international tourists, stating, "Since the opening of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque on July 24, 2020, we have welcomed about 25 million visitors over four years. We continuously host many visitors, both local and foreign, at Hagia Sophia."
He expressed that visitors came from all over the country and different countries around the world, both Muslim and non-Muslim, adding, "It is one of the important historical sites that attract everyone's interest. Depending on the season, Hagia Sophia reaches a daily average of around 50,000 visitors, resulting in an annual total visitor count of approximately 6 to 7 million.”
