The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has converted an old land registry office building situated in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Square into a museum that tells the story of Hagia Sophia, from its original construction to modern day.
Visitors to Hagia Sophia can now view artefacts previously stored in the museum’s warehouses. After three years of work, the museum has opened its doors to showcase these items. Additionally, visitors can take advantage of a digital guide that provides information on the history of this iconic structure.
According to art historian Hayri Fehmi Yılmaz, the Hagia Sophia Museum has an exceptional collection and is considered one of the most influential monuments in the world.
According to Yılmaz, the museum’s primary focus is to showcase Hagia Sophia’s transformations from the Byzantine Empire to present-day Turkey since the sixth century.
Yılmaz said, Hagia Sophia was constructed during the fourth century and renovated during the fifth and sixth centuries. Its current form has been preserved from the sixth century until now. Yılmaz also noted that the empires governing the city added their individual touches to enhance the structure’s beauty.
“Therefore, it became a structure that represented the peak of Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations,” he said. Hagia Sophia became a significant museum of Byzantine art in Turkey and the world after it was converted into one in 1934. It houses various materials related to the building and its different periods.
When Hagia Sophia was reconverted into a mosque in 2020, it was decided to display the collections from both the former museum and the warehouses.
Yılmaz explained that a fascinating museum has been established, showcasing original materials that have never been displayed in Hagia Sophia. The museum boasts an impressive modern display that visually outlines the history of Hagia Sophia across two floors. Visitors can also view a classical display of Hagia Sophia. One particularly interesting group of building materials on display are the stamped bricks. Additionally, visitors can see examples of tesserae from the rich mosaic decorations that once covered all surfaces of the structure but have since fallen over time. He said the museum also exhibits manuscript documents on Hagia Sophia written by historians of the Ottoman period.
“In my opinion, those who love the history of Istanbul and want to witness Hagia Sophia should definitely visit this museum after touring the structure,” Yılmaz concluded.
