The first Friday prayer was held at Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii Şerifi with a new system that separates the entrances of worshippers and tourists visiting for sightseeing purposes.
As part of the restoration and conservation efforts initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the new arrangement has reduced congestion at the mosque entrances. Turkish citizens coming to worship enter Hagia Sophia through the Imperial Gate located in Sultanahmet Square.
With the new system, historical visits for tourism purposes start at the gate opened opposite the Fountain of Ahmed III and continue on the gallery floor.
Touristic visits are conducted with an entrance fee of 25 euros. Tourists visiting the mosque’s main prayer area and Ottoman-era additions can also view the Byzantine mosaics in this section after passing through the gates of heaven and hell.
Implemented with a QR code system, visitors can receive information in 23 languages through headphones on their mobile phones or through provided disposable headphones, without disturbing those at prayer.
