Brotherly Turkey attracts attention with its historicity and rich past. Every stone, every breath of this country is history. Turkey is one of the countries that successfully combines historicity with modernity at the highest level and preserves what it possesses.
On every visit to the brotherly country, one is captivated by its magic and wonders.
Our next visit, within the framework of the “GoTürkiye” platform of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), which have made significant contributions to promoting Turkey's capabilities worldwide, was also remembered with rich impressions.
As part of the Istanbul-Bursa travel program during the month of Ramadan, with the participation of journalists from Turkic-speaking countries, we visited Taksim Square, one of Istanbul's central locations, Galata Street, and ascended Pierre Loti Hill. The view from this hill is magnificent, and it is named in honor of the French poet and naval officer Pierre Loti. Pierre Loti spent several years of his life in the city of Istanbul. Paradoxically, the hill is used as a cemetery, yet even the appearance of the cemetery creates a pleasant impression in a certain sense. We ascended the hill by cable car. From above, the view of the city's ancient European part captivates one.
Passing by the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, we also visited the Sultan Eyüp and Hagia Sophia mosques. In the mosque, during this holy month, we offered our prayers and made our wishes.
The Unsilent Memory of Centuries - Hagia Sophia
There are structures that are witnesses to centuries, the unsilent memory of empires, and the intersection point of civilizations. Hagia Sophia is precisely such a marvel.
Initially built as a Christian temple, Hagia Sophia hosted the coronation ceremonies of emperors during the Eastern Roman - Byzantine Empire period. As a result of popular uprisings throughout history, the previous structure was destroyed and later rebuilt in a more magnificent form.
The magnificent building we see today was erected in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinian I and was considered an architectural marvel for its time. The colossal dome, 55.60 meters high and 31.36 meters wide, rests on 40 pillars. In total, 107 columns support the weight of the monument, with 40 below and 67 above. The light filtering through the dome's 40 windows bestows a divine radiance upon the interior — as if the heavens descend to earth.
A Historical Monument Transformed into a Symbol of Conquest
After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque by order of Mehmed II. This change was not only religious but also a political and cultural turning point. Hagia Sophia functioned as a mosque for 481 years, gaining a new identity with the minarets, mihrab, and other elements added to Ottoman architecture.
During the restoration works carried out in the 1930s of the 20th century, the temple was closed for worship. On November 24, 1934, by a decision of the Council of Ministers, it acquired museum status and for many years welcomed millions of visitors from all over the world.
Common Heritage of Human History
Since 2020, Hagia Sophia has reopened for worship as a mosque. This event has generated widespread resonance not only in Turkey but throughout the world. Because Hagia Sophia is not merely a place of worship — it is the common heritage of human history.
Precisely for this reason, everyone who visits Turkey wishes to visit Hagia Sophia. Hundreds of foreign tourists enter here every day.
Upon entering Hagia Sophia, one feels oneself within time. On one side, Christian mosaics; on the other, examples of Islamic calligraphy… Traces of two great civilizations stand side by side on the walls. This building is a superimposed history of religions, cultures, and empires.
The Great Hagia Sophia Mosque remains a point of interest for millions today. Not only Muslims, but people from various religions and countries come to this place — to see, to feel, to understand.
Hagia Sophia is not merely a place to be visited. It silences, makes one ponder, and astonishes.
When you go to Istanbul and stand before Hagia Sophia, you realize that some monuments do not speak history — history itself lives within them.
