Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum

If you are travelling to Istanbul and are looking for something more than the classic visit to the iconic Hagia Sophia, we suggest you go one step further and discover the Hagia Sophia Museum of History and Experience Museum: an innovative space that offers an immersive tour that transports you through 1700 years of history, explaining the evolution and symbolism of Hagia Sophia throughout history as you have never seen it before.

In this article we are going to explain all the details you need to know to visit this interesting museum: where it is, what to see and do, curiosities, opening hours and fares, as well as other places of interest nearby to plan your trip to Istanbul in detail.

What is the Hagia Sophia Museum of History and Experience?

The Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum opened its doors in 2023 as a complementary space to the famous Hagia Sophia, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is a digital and interactive museum, designed to give visitors an in-depth understanding of Istanbul’s most famous monument, the currently called Hagia Sophia Mosque.

With a total area of 3,200 square metres divided into 13 sections or galleries, the museum combines augmented reality, 360-degree immersive projections and digital exhibits to vividly explain how Hagia Sophia was built, its political and religious importance, and the transformations it has undergone from Byzantine times to the present day. But the building where it is located also has its own history: it was an old Ottoman building dedicated to registers and cadastres located in the middle of Sultanahmet Square, called the Defter-i Hakani. Its restoration has preserved Ottoman architectural elements, integrating modernity and tradition in a single space.

The tour of the museum begins with the founding of the Byzantine Empire and continues with the construction and transformation of Hagia Sophia over time. Visitors enjoy an immersive narration – available in 23 languages – and will discover the architectural genius that enabled the construction of this monument, the historical impact of figures such as Constantine the Great, Emperor Theodosius, the mathematician Isidore and Emperor Justinian, the ultimate author of Hagia Sophia’s creation.

The section devoted to the Ottoman period begins with the conquest of Constantinople and shows the transformation of the building under the patronage of various sultans. From Mehmet I the Conqueror to the contributions of the architect Mimar Sinan, this period is brought to life through immersive soundscapes and visual landscapes that surround the visitor and immerse him in the era. In addition, alongside the museum’s projections and historical narratives, nearly 300 original historical objects illustrate the artistic and architectural evolution of Hagia Sophia from the 4th century to the present day.

Artworks inspired by technology also add another dimension to the museum experience. Among them is ‘Sinan’, an audio-visual work consisting of 12,000 cubes illuminated by mapping technology. ‘Infinity Mirrors’, a spatial installation offering a dimensional reflection of the Great Mosque of Hagia Sophia, also represents a true fusion of technology, art and history.

How to get to the museum

The Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum is located right next to Hagia Sophia, inside Sultanahmet Square (the former hippodrome of Constantinople) – in the historical heart of Istanbul– just a few metres from the so-called Obelisk of Theodosius.

• How to get there by public transport:
  • Tram T1: Sultanahmet Station.
  • Buses: you can take the circular tourist line 121CS (BUSFORUS), which stops at Sultanahmet, or any line that drops you off at Eminönü, such as BN1, and from there you can walk to Sultanahmet (about 15 minutes).
  • On foot: from the Grand Bazaar or the Blue Mosque it is only a few minutes walk.

What can visitors do?

The tour of the Hagia Sophia museum is designed to offer an immersive and educational experience:

• 360° projections: several rooms offer immersive projections that visually reconstruct the history of Hagia Sophia, from Justinian to the present day.
• Augmented reality: thanks to AR technology, you can view virtual 3D models of the building, its domes and other architectural details impossible to see up close in the original monument.
• Multimedia exhibition: interactive panels and explanatory videos show the evolution of the building, its restorations and the historical context of each period.
• Immersive sound: a carefully crafted soundtrack and numerous sound effects set the scene to fully immerse the visitor in the history of the site.
• Language: all content is available in several languages, including English, German, Spanish and – of course – Turkish.
• Duration of the visit: the complete tour usually lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour, although it can be extended if more time is spent in the interactive areas or on the details of the original historical exhibits.

It should be clear that the museum is not intended as an alternative to Hagia Sophia, but rather as a complement that many consider essential. Our recommendation for a full experience is to first visit the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum and then visit Hagia Sophia, so that you can enjoy it with a much deeper understanding and appreciate first-hand the historical transformations that the museum explains in more detail.

Opening times, prices and final tips

• Opening hours: open every day of the week from 09:00 to 18:15. In summer the museum can be visited at night from 19:00 to 22:00 (the ticket office closes 1 hour before).
• Admission fee:
  • General fee: €25 (for non-Turkish citizens, over 8 years old). Museumpass card is not accepted.
  • Reduced or free admission for minors, students and Turkish citizens.
• Ticket sales: tickets can be purchased at the museum ticket office itself or online via the official website müze.gov.tr.
• Useful tips:
  • Book in advance in high season to avoid queues.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: although the museum can be seen in about an hour, it is part of a larger itinerary that will take you to several monuments in Sultanahmet.
  • Visit before you go to Hagia Sophia to get the most out of the explanations, images and details you will see in the museum.

Other places of interest in Istanbul nearby

The Hagia Sophia History Museum is in the historic heart of Istanbul, so thanks to its strategic location, you can easily combine a tour of this museum with a visit to Hagia Sophia itself or the Blue Mosque, or to the main monuments of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Basilica Cistern or the Topkapi Palace. Here are some suggestions within a few minutes walking distance:

• Hagia Sophia: undoubtedly the jewel in the crown and the best visit you can make as soon as you leave the museum; built in the 6th century as a Byzantine basilica, it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest, in the 20th century it was transformed into a museum, and today it is once again functioning as a mosque. A must-see.
• Blue Mosque: famous for its six minarets and spectacular İznik tiles; although many mistakenly believe that this spectacular building was the work of the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, it was actually built by his disciple, Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa.
• Hippodrome of Constantinople: now transformed into the modern Sultanahmet Square, this former Roman racetrack still retains the shape of the hippodrome where centuries ago the public cheered the colours of their team, as well as the two main obelisks that adorned it.
• Cistern Basilica: a real gem located underground in Sultanahmet and just a few metres from Hagia Sophia, this ancient water reservoir is a spectacle of light and sound with hundreds of columns jutting out of the water. Be sure to see the famous Medusa heads that adorn the base of two of the columns.
• Topkapi Palace: the residence of the Ottoman sultans for centuries, Topkapi Palace houses unique treasures and relics that reflect the splendour of the Ottoman Empire, as well as offering beautiful views of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art: also located in Sultanahmet Square next to the Hagia Sophia History Museum itself, this museum houses carpets, manuscripts and Islamic art objects of enormous historical and cultural value.

Although many pass by it as they walk through Sultanahmet without visiting it, the truth is that the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum offers a different experience to the visitor to Istanbul. If you are passionate – as we are – about history, and you like modern museums that combine knowledge and technology, this museum will be an unforgettable experience for you. It is – without any doubt – a must-see to understand why Hagia Sophia is one of the most extraordinary buildings you will ever see. So, after all we’ve told you… Are you really going to miss this visit?