Non-Muslims to pay a fee to enter Hagia Sophia from 15 January
The Turks have turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Photo: NTV
Non-Muslims to Hagia Sophia will be charged an entrance fee, in a major policy change after the building was converted from a museum to a mosque by the Turkish government.
The minister said foreign visitors would start to pay a fee to enter the mosque starting Jan. 15, 2024., reports the Turkish resource NTV.
In the temple, which the authorities have turned into a functioning mosque for several years, the authorities have organised routes by which tourists will not interfere with the religious practices of Muslims.
Tourists will enter Sofia through the southern entrance and enter the gallery through a tunnel.
"With the system implemented with the QR code application in Hagia Sophia Cathedral, visitors will be able to receive information in 23 languages without disturbing the worshipers through the headphones of their mobile phones or disposable headphones to be provided," the report said.
As reported, Erdogan called Hagia Sophia a symbol of the Turkish era.
Read also
BOC debunks false claims of disrupted service over RF ambassador's presence
The Metropolis described reports that the service had been disrupted as slander, explaining that the Primate's calls for order were prompted by the exceptionally large number of people in attendance.
Son of Chernihiv Eparchy priest killed on front line
The Chernihiv Eparchy has extended its condolences to the family of the dean of the Sosnytsia District, calling on the faithful to pray for the fallen serviceman.
TRC detains priest of Ovruch Eparchy
TRC officers detained Archpriest Serhiy Bovsunovskyi of the UOC's Ovruch Eparchy at a checkpoint near Korosten.
Historic UOC church in Beryslav burns down in drone strike
A wooden church built in 1726 burned down after a drone strike in the Kherson region.
Oldest church in Kyiv celebrates its patronal feast
Metropolitan Victor led the festive service at the capital’s St. Elijah Church.
UOC Primate leads celebrations marking 510 years of Lavra skete in Horodok
In the Rivne Eparchy, the Primate of the UOC consecrated an icon of the Mother of God restored by the convent’s sisters.