The seventh stop in Turkey, Hagia Sophia.

📍Address: Hagia Sophia is located in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey, Sultanahmet Meydanı, Ayasofya, 34122 Fatih, in the historical and cultural core area of Istanbul. There are many famous attractions nearby, and the Blue Mosque is just across the street. 🚗Transportation: [One] Public transportation: You can take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet Station, and walk for two or three minutes after getting off. [Two] Taxi: You can take a taxi in Istanbul, as the attractions are all concentrated together, walking is also a good way to visit. [Three] Self-driving: You should pay special attention to traffic rules and parking conditions when driving in Istanbul. There are some parking lots nearby, but they may be full, and there are many tourists. 👍️Must-see attractions: [One] Two doctrines in one frame: There are large golden Arabic discs of Muhammad around the dome, and a golden mosaic of the Virgin Mary holding Christ below the dome. Elements of two different religions coexist harmoniously here. [Two] Minbar: The wooden minbar under the dome is a pulpit for Islamic clergy to preach the Quran. It was added after the cathedral was converted into a mosque and blends well with the overall architectural style. [Three] Center of the world: On the ground to the west of the minbar, there is a floor decorated with colored marble, known as the "navel of the world" or the center of the world. Successive Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans were crowned here. [Four] Mosaic: There are many exquisite mosaics in the cathedral, which are of high artistic value and worth appreciating. [Five] Six-winged seraph: There are four seraph paintings on the four arches of the cathedral dome. Since Islam prohibits idolatry, the face of the seraph was once covered with plaster, and later the face of one of the seraphs was revealed. [Six] Weeping column: Legend has it that people put their thumbs into the hole in the column, and turn their other fingers around it as the center, to pray for health and safety. 🎟️Tickets: (Non-Turkish) Adults €25 per person, which is relatively expensive in Turkey, because other attractions offer more things to see at the same price. [!] Please note that there is a joint ticket for museums in Turkey, but it is not applicable to Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. 💗Other tips: Two churches destroyed by riots once stood where Hagia Sophia stands. The first church was opened in 360 and was destroyed by riots caused by the conflict between John I of Constantinople and the empress. The second church was completed in 415 and was burned to ashes by the fire caused by the Nika riots in 532. In 532, Emperor Justinian I decided to build the third cathedral, which is the current Hagia Sophia, completed in 537.