A NOTE IN HISTORY: January 15, 2024, ?stanbul

On July 24, 2020, a momentous event took place in the history of St. Sophia. The Museum status of St. Sophia was officially terminated with the president's participation. However, this was not the end for St. Sophia Church, as it was reopened as a mosque.

Today, there is exciting news for visitors to the famous #AYASOFYA, which is a UNESCO-registered world heritage site. The gallery floor, which was previously inaccessible, has now been opened to visitors under the new name "Visitor Area". This means visitors can now explore and enjoy this historical site in a new way. However, it is essential to note that access to the gallery floor is no longer accessible. Visitors will need to purchase a ticket to enter. The ticket price for the gallery floor is €25 (EUR 25). Don't worry about the currency exchange; cash and credit card payments are accepted at the ticket office. The exchange rate has been fixed to €1 = 34 TL, so the ticket price per person is 850 Turkish Lira. Usually, the exchange rate is €1 = 32 TL.

It's worth mentioning that the ticket fare is the same for both Turkish citizens and foreign visitors. However, if you have a museum card that usually grants you discounted access to museums, unfortunately, it will not be valid for entry to the gallery floor. This is something to keep in mind when planning your visit.

Now, you might be wondering who is managing the gallery floor. It is actually a private company called "DEM MüZEC?L?K". This company specializes in Museology and has been entrusted with the Hagia Sophia Gallery Floor operation. They will ensure visitors have a memorable and informative experience while exploring this magnificent historical site.

To provide a bit of background, before it became a mosque, the Hagia Sophia Gallery Floor was under the management of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey. However, with the recent changes, it is now being managed by the private company mentioned above.

So, if you're planning a visit to Istanbul, don't miss the opportunity to explore the newly opened gallery floor of St. Sophia, now known as the "Visitor Area". Immerse yourself in history and witness the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site firsthand.