The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, had announced in October 2023 that an entrance fee would be imposed on foreign tourists visiting Hagia Sophia.
According to the statement made by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the entrance fee to Hagia Sophia will be 25 euros starting from January 15.
The statement from the Ministry included the following expressions:
"The efforts to distinguish between those who come to worship at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and foreigners visiting the historic mosque for cultural purposes have been completed.
As part of the restoration and conservation work initiated by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ersoy at Hagia Sophia, the gallery floor prepared for visitors will be in service from January 15 at the ticket booth located across from the III. Ahmet Fountain.
During the route of the visit, protective measures have been taken in the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, and security cameras, fire detection, and emergency announcement systems have also been installed.
Cleaning and preservation work on the marble coverings and wooden railings on the gallery floor of the mosque have been carried out by restorers and conservators under the approval and consultation of the Science Board.
With the implementation of the visitor management plan announced by Minister Ersoy earlier at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, there will no longer be long queues in the historic mosque.
At Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, controlled entrances will be provided through the tunnel and entrance ramp located under the minaret of II. Bayezid on the south facade of the historic mosque. Visitors will be guided to the gallery floor, and exits will be provided through the northeast ramp.
Tourists arriving at the gallery section will pass through the Paradise-Hell Gate, observing the mosque's prayer area and Ottoman Period additions, and they can also examine the Byzantine Period mosaics in this section.
With the new implementation starting on January 15 at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, tourists will be able to visit the mosque without disrupting the worship environment.
Implemented with the QR code system in Hagia Sophia, the headphone system will allow visitors to receive information in 23 languages through their mobile phones' headphones or disposable headphones provided, without disturbing those who are praying, in a quiet environment.
The entrance fee for foreigners visiting the historic mosque for tourism purposes will be 25 euros."
