Hagia Sophia

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Hagia Sophia was a church and became a mosque later and
now Hagia Sophia is a museum.
It was used as a church for 916 years. but when Sultan Mehmed II
arrive he ordered the building to be become a mosque
and the bells of the church were removed and replaced
by Islamic mihrab and minbar.

This church was the mother church for all eastern
christians, Built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
It was a mosque until 1935 when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
the first Turkish president was transformed a mosque to a museum.
The original building was constructed by the most
important architects of the period (527-565),
Anthemios (Tralles) and Isidoros (Miletus),
under the order of Emperor Justinianos. It is
mentioned in the resources that during its
construction period, the two prominent architects
each had 100 architects working under them, who in
turn had 100 workers each working under them.
Museum of Hagia Sophia is open for visit every day
except Mondays. The winter visiting hours for the Hagia Sophia are
from 09.00 to 17.00, with the final entry being at
16.00. During the summer, the visiting hours are
between 09.00 and 19.00, with the final entry being at 18.00.