Starting tomorrow, Monday, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s decision to implement an entrance fee for foreign tourists at Hagia Sophia will be in effect.
The ministry has finalized the separation of entrances for those entering the monument as pilgrims and those visiting for cultural or tourist purposes. The entrance fee for foreigners visiting the historic mosque for tourist purposes is 25 euros.
A relevant announcement by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism states: “As part of the restoration and protection of the monument initiated by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ersoy, a ticket office will be installed at a specific location that has already been prepared for visitors, and it will start operating on January 15. Security cameras, fire detection systems, and emergency notification systems have been installed. Protection measures have also been implemented along the route for sightseeing at the mosque.”
In the same announcement, it is stressed that “the nationals of the Turkish Republic who will visit the mosque for the purposes of religious worship will continue to enter the mosque free of charge from the entrance provided for this reason.”
Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos
