Istanbul’s Kariye Mosque to introduce fee for tourists

Istanbul’s historic Kariye Mosque, which reopened for worship in May after decades as a museum, will soon implement a visitor management plan.

Starting Aug. 19, tourists will be required to purchase a ticket priced at $21.6 (approximately ₺718) to enter the mosque. On Fridays, the mosque will be open solely for worship.

Uncertainty regarding worship fees

While the upcoming implementation of a fee for tourist visits to the mosque has been confirmed, questions remain about access for Turkish citizens and Muslims living abroad.

Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism have yet to clarify whether these individuals will be exempt from the fee for worship outside of Fridays, or if there will be specific entry times allocated for them.

Ticket revenue to be transferred to general directorate of foundations

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that all ticket revenue from Kariye Mosque will be transferred to the General Directorate of Foundations.

The decision is said to have been made based on UNESCO recommendations to manage visitor density and prevent damage to the frescoes.

Kariye Mosque’s history dates back 1,500 years. Following the conquest of Istanbul, the structure was converted into a mosque after being left without a congregation.

It was declared a monument on Aug. 29, 1945, and remained closed for worship for 79 years. Transferred to the Directorate of Religious Affairs in 2020, the mosque reopened with its frescoes as a functioning mosque in May.