The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a significant cultural and historical landmark in Istanbul, Turkey, has a rich history spanning over 15 centuries. Initially a Chalcedonian church, then an Orthodox and Catholic church, it was converted into a mosque, later a museum, and finally back to a mosque in 2020. This architectural marvel reflects a blend of religious and cultural influences, symbolizing the city's diverse past.
January 1919: Unauthorized Divine Liturgy
In January 1919, Greek Orthodox Christian military priest Eleftherios Noufrakis conducted an unauthorized Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sophia, marking a significant event since the fall of Constantinople.
May 1919: Sultanahmet Demonstrations
From March to May 1919, anti-occupation demonstrations took place near Hagia Sophia, reflecting the tensions of the time.
1923: Hagia Sophia on Greek Banknotes
Greece issued 500 drachma banknotes featuring Hagia Sophia in 1923, underscoring the building's symbolic significance in the region.
1930: Unveiling of Mosaics
In 1930, under the Turkish Republic, whitewash and plaster that had concealed mosaics depicting Jesus, Mary, and Byzantine emperors were removed, revealing these significant artworks once again.
1931: Hagia Sophia Closed for Renovation
In 1931, Hagia Sophia was closed to the public for a period of four years for renovation.
1934: Establishment of Hagia Sophia as a Museum
In 1934, a decree was passed that led to the establishment of Hagia Sophia as a museum.
1935: Hagia Sophia Reopened as a Museum
After renovations, Hagia Sophia was reopened in 1935 as a museum.
1935: Hagia Sophia Became a Museum
In 1935, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a museum under the secular Republic of Turkey.
1935: Transformation into a Museum
In 1935, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first President of Turkey, transformed Hagia Sophia into a museum.
1935: Transformation of Hagia Sophia into a Museum
In 1935, the Council of Ministers decided to transform the Hagia Sophia into a museum, a decision later annulled in 2020 to revert it back to a mosque.
1935: Rediscovery and Restoration of the Virgin and Child Mosaic
The mosaic of the Virgin and Child in Hagia Sophia was rediscovered during restorations by the Fossati brothers between 1847 and 1848. Thomas Whittemore further revealed it through his restoration work from 1935 to 1939.
1939: Rediscovery and Restoration of the Virgin and Child Mosaic
The mosaic of the Virgin and Child in Hagia Sophia was rediscovered during restorations by the Fossati brothers between 1847 and 1848. Thomas Whittemore further revealed it through his restoration work from 1935 to 1939.
1941: Alfons Maria Schneider's Archaeological Report
German archaeologist Alfons Maria Schneider published his final report on the archaeological excavations he conducted at Hagia Sophia in 1941, revealing significant findings about the building's history.
1946: Discovery of a Hypogeum
A hypogeum, possibly containing a martyrium, was unearthed before 1946, providing insights into the site's earlier history.
1958: Emperor Alexander Mosaic Rediscovered in Hagia Sophia
The Emperor Alexander mosaic, considered hidden for years, was rediscovered in 1958 thanks to the research of Robert Van Nice. Unlike others covered by plaster, this mosaic was painted over, blending with surroundings.
1964: Further Study of the Virgin and Child Mosaic
In 1964, the rediscovered mosaic of the Virgin and Child in Hagia Sophia underwent further study facilitated by scaffolding.
1979: Discovery of Skeuophylakion's Western Entrance Lintel
During archaeological work in 1979, the western entrance lintel of the skeuophylakion, sealed during the Ottoman period, was discovered.
1991: Allocation of a Prayer Room
Despite restrictions on worship, in 1991, the Turkish government permitted the use of a pavilion within the Hagia Sophia museum complex as a prayer room, acknowledging the site's religious significance.
1996: Inclusion in World Monuments Fund Watch List
Recognizing its deteriorating state, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) included Hagia Sophia in its 1996 Watch List, raising awareness about the need for preservation.
1997: Start of Restoration Grants
The WMF began securing grants for the restoration of Hagia Sophia's dome in 1997.
1998: Hagia Sophia Remains on Watch List
Hagia Sophia remained on the World Monuments Fund's Watch List in 1998, highlighting the ongoing concerns about its preservation.
2002: Completion of Restoration Funding
By 2002, the WMF had secured a series of grants for the restoration of Hagia Sophia's dome, marking a step towards preserving the structure.
2004: Identification of Remnants of a Brick Wall
Archaeologists discovered remnants of a brick wall with marble revetment traces in 2004, adding another layer to the understanding of the site's architectural evolution.
2006: Completion of WMF Project
The World Monuments Fund completed its restoration project on Hagia Sophia in 2006, contributing significantly to its preservation while acknowledging that further work was still needed.
2009: Faces of Seraphim Revealed in Hagia Sophia Dome
Renovations in 2009 led to the removal of metallic star-shaped lids that covered the faces of the seraphim (or cherubim) in the dome of Hagia Sophia, revealing their original depiction.
2009: Restoration Reveals Seraph Mosaic in Hagia Sophia
In 2009, restoration work in Hagia Sophia revealed one of the giant six-winged seraph mosaics, painted during the reign of Basil II, which had been covered with a golden star during the Ottoman period.
November 2013: Demand for Hagia Sophia Conversion
In November 2013, Turkey's deputy prime minister Bülent Arınç called for the Hagia Sophia to be converted back into a mosque. This marked the beginning of several campaigns and demands by government officials for the same cause.
2013: Call to Prayer from Minarets
Starting in 2013, two minarets of the Hagia Sophia museum were used to broadcast the call to prayer (ezan) regularly, signifying a shift in the approach to the site's religious use.
2014: Hagia Sophia as Second Most Visited Museum
In 2014, Hagia Sophia attracted nearly 3.3 million visitors, making it the second most visited museum in Turkey, reflecting its global appeal.
2014: Restoration of the Skeuophylakion
The Vakıflar undertook the restoration of the skeuophylakion in 2014, aiming to preserve this historical structure within the Hagia Sophia complex.
2015: Pope Acknowledges Armenian Genocide
In 2015, Pope Francis publicly acknowledged the Armenian genocide, an event officially denied by Turkey. In response to the Pope's remarks, Mefail Hızlı, the mufti of Ankara, suggested that this would accelerate the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
July 2016: Muslim Prayers Held in Hagia Sophia
On 1 July 2016, Muslim prayers were held in the Hagia Sophia for the first time in 85 years. This event marked a significant moment in the ongoing debate about the building's status.
October 2016: Appointment of Imam in Hagia Sophia
In October 2016, Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs appointed an imam, Önder Soy, to the Hagia Sophia mosque for the first time in 81 years. Since then, the call to prayer has been regularly called out from Hagia Sophia's minarets.
May 2017: Morning Prayer at Hagia Sophia
On 13 May 2017, a large group organized by the Anatolia Youth Association gathered in front of Hagia Sophia and prayed the morning prayer, calling for the re-conversion of the museum into a mosque.
June 2017: Quran Recitation in Hagia Sophia
On 21 June 2017, the Directorate of Religious Affairs organized a special program, broadcast live by state-run television TRT, which included the recitation of the Quran and prayers in Hagia Sophia to mark Laylat al-Qadr.
March 2018: Erdoğan Recites Quran in Hagia Sophia
On 31 March 2018, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recited the first verse of the Quran in Hagia Sophia, dedicating the prayer to its historical contributors and strengthening the political movement to revert it to a mosque.
March 2019: Erdoğan's Commitment to Revert Hagia Sophia
In March 2019, Erdoğan expressed his intention to change the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque, stating that converting it to a museum had been a 'very big mistake'.
2019: Hagia Sophia as a Popular Tourist Destination
By 2019, Hagia Sophia had become Turkey's most visited tourist attraction, reflecting its cultural and historical significance.
July 2020: Annulment of Museum Status
On 10 July 2020, the Council of State annulled the 1935 decision to transform Hagia Sophia into a museum, decreeing it should be used solely as a mosque. Despite global criticism, Erdoğan signed a decree reverting it to a mosque, with the first prayers scheduled for 24 July.
July 2020: Hagia Sophia's Floor Covered With Carpet
On July 2020, the renowned floor of Hagia Sophia, often compared to a sea by numerous authors throughout history, was covered with a carpet.
July 2020: Council of State Annulled 1934 Decision
In July 2020, the Turkish Council of State annulled the 1934 decision that had established Hagia Sophia as a museum.
2020: Hagia Sophia Reclassified as a Mosque
In 2020, Hagia Sophia was reclassified as a mosque, a decision that sparked controversy and divided opinions.
2020: Celebration of Conquest of Constantinople
In 2020, Turkey's government celebrated the 567th anniversary of the Conquest of Constantinople with an Islamic prayer in Hagia Sophia. During the May anniversary events, passages from the Quran were read in Hagia Sophia, drawing condemnation from Greece and a response from Turkey.
July 2021: UNESCO Expresses Concerns Over Hagia Sophia's Conservation
In July 2021, UNESCO raised concerns about the state of conservation of Hagia Sophia following changes in its status and requested an updated report from Turkey.
2021: Hagia Sophia's Dome: A History of Collapse and Reconstruction
As of 2021, the current dome of Hagia Sophia reveals a history of collapses and reconstructions. The original dome collapsed after an earthquake in 558, and its replacement, built by Isidore the Younger, also suffered partial collapses. Today, only sections from the 562 reconstructions remain.
2021: Publication of Stroth's Bibliography on Hagia Sophia
In 2021, a comprehensive bibliography on Hagia Sophia, thematically organized, was published by Stroth.
2021: Condemnation by World Council of Churches
In 2021, the World Council of Churches condemned the decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, urging Erdoğan to reconsider in order to promote mutual understanding and avoid cultivating old animosities.
April 2022: Vandalism at Hagia Sophia: Door Damaged
In April 2022, an act of vandalism targeted Hagia Sophia as a door was found damaged. The incident sparked condemnation from the Greek Foreign Ministry, while Turkish authorities launched an investigation.
April 2022: First Ramadan Prayer in 88 Years
In April 2022, the Hagia Sophia held its first Ramadan tarawih prayer in 88 years, marking a significant religious milestone for the site.
2022: Postponement of International Congress
The International Association of Byzantine Studies announced that its 21st International Congress, initially planned to be held in Istanbul in 2021, would be postponed to 2022 and relocated due to the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
January 2024: Introduction of Entrance Fee
Starting from 15 January 2024, the Turkish government decided that foreign nationals will have to pay an entrance fee to visit the Hagia Sophia.