Explore 1700 years of history at Ayasofya Museum
The Ayasofya History and Experience Museum, located in the Defter-i Hakani Nezareti building at Sultanahmet Square, offers a captivating journey through 1700 years of Ayasofya’s rich history.
This museum, recently opened by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, combines state-of-the-art technology with an impressive collection of artifacts from both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
Dr. Murat Bozcu, the museum director, stresses the significance of the museum’s collection, which includes numerous artifacts displayed for the first time.
“We have incorporated vital pieces from both the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, presenting them through immersive visual and auditory experiences in 23 different languages,” he said.
Among the masterpieces is a 36-meter-long foundation document established by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, detailing the technicalities of the Ayasofya Foundation.
The museum showcases a variety of significant artifacts, including a 15th-century Quran, rare chandeliers and Christian liturgical materials.
It also displays historical bricks with ancient Greek inscriptions and bronze medallions created by the Fossati Brothers. “Visitors reinforce their digital experiences with academic insights, gaining detailed knowledge about Ayasofya,” Dr. Bozcu added.
On average, the museum attracts about 1000 to 1250 visitors daily, reflecting a growing interest since its opening. The museum’s collection is presented in a controlled environment, ensuring optimal temperature and humidity to preserve the artifacts.
The exhibition begins with the Byzantine section, showcasing the state’s foundation and the architectural evolution of Ayasofya. This includes the initial construction, the subsequent collapse and rebuilding of the dome and the impact of the Iconoclasm and Crusades.
Visitors meet key historical figures like Constantine, Theodosius, mathematician Isidore and Emperor Justinian through visually enriched narratives.
The Ottoman section follows, detailing the contributions of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, and subsequent sultans who restored Ayasofya. It includes works by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan, whose revisions helped preserve Ayasofya’s architectural and artistic heritage.
Visitors can also explore a chronological corridor exhibiting original pieces such as sealed bricks, mosaic materials, calligraphic panels, and historical paintings. These artifacts offer a comprehensive overview of Ayasofya’s history from the 4th century to the present.
The museum’s creative and auditory presentations were developed by a team of digital design artists, stage designers, painters, composers and musicians. Each experience room features period-appropriate visuals and live ethnic music, enhanced by expert sound engineers.
Renowned narrators Selcuk Yontem and Gulen Karaman bring the museum’s storytelling to life. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. the Ayasofya History and Experience Museum invites both local and international visitors to explore the rich and diverse history of Ayasofya.
