How Hagia Sophia Cathedral became a museum

In the spring of 1935, the active promotion of the Hagia Sophia as a museum began. This event was an important step in the formation of Turkey's new secular identity under the reforms of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Historical retrospective

Hagia Sophia Cathedral was built in 537 by order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The architects of the project were Anfimius of Trallus and Isidore of Miletus. This grandiose construction for more than 900 years remained the largest Orthodox cathedral of the world and a symbol of power of the Eastern Roman Empire.

After the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II ordered to transform the Hagia Sophia Cathedral into a mosque. Minarets, mihrab and minbar were added, and Christian mosaics were partially covered with plaster. Thus Hagia Sophia existed as a mosque until 1931, when the building was closed to the public and restoration work began.

As part of Ataturk's secular reforms, a decree was issued in 1934 to transform Hagia Sophia Cathedral into a museum, and in February 1935 it officially opened its doors as a cultural object. In the spring of the same year, extensive work began to clear Byzantine mosaics, restore frescoes and create exhibitions accessible to the general public.

Popularization campaign and international recognition

The transformation of Hagia Sophia into a museum was a powerful symbol of the new secular Turkey. The international community embraced the move as an example of respect for the country's multicultural heritage. In April 1935, the Turkish and foreign press actively publicized the efforts to restore the mosaics, and tourists from all over the world began visiting the museum.

Among the most famous mosaics restored during that period were the image of Our Lady with a child on a throne, the image of Christ Pantocrator, and scenes with Emperors Constantine IX Monomakh and Zoe. These works of art were hidden under layers of plaster for almost five centuries.

Hagia Sophia Cathedral as a cultural and religious bridge

HagiaSophia Cathedral has become a space where East and West, Islam and Christianity, antiquity and modernity meet. Its architecture and history are admired by believers and secular scholars alike. The building's symbolic significance has become part of national identity and an object of international dialog.

According to UNESCO, the World Heritage Site status covers not only Hagia Sophia itself, but also its surroundings in the historic center of Istanbul. The building exemplifies a unique synthesis of architectural and cultural traditions.

Contemporary developments and a new milestone

on July 10, 2020, the Turkish Council of State annulled the 1934 decision and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed a decree returning Hagia Sophia Cathedral to the status of a mosque. on July 24, 2020, Friday prayers were held in the building for the first time in 86 years. The decision sparked strong reactions around the world, ranging from support to criticism, including statements by UNESCO on the need to preserve universal cultural access.

Today, Hagia Sophia Cathedral is open to all: it once again functions as a mosque, but remains accessible to tourists. Admission is free, but religious etiquette must be observed to visit.

Hagia Sophia Cathedral is not just an architectural marvel. It is a living monument of changing eras, a symbol of flexibility and stability of the Turkish nation, a cultural code of the country. Its walls hold the memories of Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey. The spring of 1935 was a key moment in the history of the monument, making it accessible to all mankind.