Turks will be able to visit the gallery floor of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque for 25 euros

At the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a new practice was launched on January 15 to separate the entrances of those coming for worship and foreign tourists visiting the mosque for touristic purposes.

Within the framework of the restoration and conservation works carried out at Hagia Sophia by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the ticket office positioned opposite the Fountain of Ahmed III for the gallery floor prepared for visitors has been put into service.

While Muslims coming to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque for worship do not pay any fee, foreigners coming to the historical mosque for touristic purposes have started to pay 25 euros as an entrance fee.

THE CLAIM THAT BECAME A TOPIC ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Following the new practice, the claim that "Republic of Turkey citizens cannot enter the upper floor of Hagia Sophia even if they buy a ticket" was put forward.

After the new practice came into effect, the claim that the gallery floor of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, where Byzantine mosaics are located, was forbidden to Turks and that only foreign tourists were allowed to visit became a topic on social media.

Following the claim put forward as "Republic of Turkey citizens cannot enter the upper floor of Hagia Sophia even if they buy a ticket," some citizens reacted to the practice, while others stated that the claim was not true.

THE AMOUNT TO BE PAID HAS BEEN CLARIFIED

According to information obtained from Ministry of Culture and Tourism sources, it was stated that as of January 22, Turkish citizens will be able to enter the gallery section on the upper floor of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque for 25 euros.

It was noted that Turkish citizens who want to visit the gallery floor can purchase tickets from the ticket office positioned opposite the Fountain of Ahmed III and, by passing through the entrance, will be able to see the prayer hall (the area where worship takes place) and the Ottoman Period additions.

It was stated that citizens will be able to visit the Byzantine Period mosaics in this section by passing through the Gate of Heaven and Hell, and it was also noted that foreign tourists who want to visit the worship area will not pay a different fee.

News Source: İHA

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