HistoryHagia Sophia (Ayasofya Mosque)
about 10–16 min by car from the hotel · 4.6–8.3 km
A 13th-century monastery church in the west of the city. It is known for the relief frieze on its south façade, the fresco in its dome and the bell tower that stands apart from the church. It was a museum for many years; since 2013 it has been used as a mosque.
Good to know before you go
It is a monastery church accepted to have been built around 1250–1260, in the reign of Manuel I, Emperor of Trebizond (Komnenos dynasty); it is dedicated to Holy Wisdom.
Source: tr.wikipedia.org, karadeniz.gov.tr, trabzon.gov.tr
It has a cross-in-square plan and a dome on a high drum; Georgian and Seljuk stonework influences mix with the Byzantine provincial style.
Source: tr.wikipedia.org, karadeniz.gov.tr
On the south façade there is a relief frieze showing the creation of Adam and Eve and, on the keystone of the arch, the single-headed eagle of the Komnenos dynasty. The dome holds a fresco of Christ Pantocrator.
Source: tr.wikipedia.org, karadeniz.gov.tr
The bell tower, which stands apart from the church some 25 m away, dates from 1427.
Source: tr.wikipedia.org, karadeniz.gov.tr
Between 1957 and 1962 a Russell Trust team connected with the University of Edinburgh removed the 19th-century plaster and uncovered the frescoes; the building was turned into a museum in 1964.
Source: tr.wikipedia.org, karadeniz.gov.tr
Its museum status ended on 3 June 2013; it opened for worship as a mosque on 28 June 2013. The date of its first conversion into a mosque varies in the sources between 1583–84 and 1670.
Source: tr.wikipedia.org, karadeniz.gov.tr
Getting there from the hotel
about 10–16 min by car · 4.6–8.3 km
Hagia Sophia is to the west of the city centre. Going by car or taxi is the most comfortable.
Open directions in Google MapsDriving times: the “typical” range Google Maps gives for a Friday 14:00 departure; it varies with traffic. Measured: October 2, 2026.
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