TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourists are no longer allowed to visit Hagia Sophia free of charge. Since last week, foreign visitors have been charged €25 to enter UNESCO's international heritage site, according to the Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Built nearly over 1,500 years ago, Hagia Sophia is one of Turkey's most popular attractions. Originally a Cathedral, Hagia Sophia was turned to a Mosque in 1453, a museum in 1935, and back to a Mosque in 2020.

By implementing the entry fare, the government has distinguished tourists and pilgrims. Pilgrims are allowed to freely enter the prayer area.

Meanwhile, tourists have access to the galleries. While pilgrims are allowed to enter through the front door, tourists enter the building through the tunnels.

In the galleries, visitors are allowed to see the previously prohibited part of "the door of Heaven and Hell". To avoid disturbing the pilgrims doing prayers, visitors use mandatory headset with QR application for 23-language information. Tour guides are no longer allowed to speak to tourists.

The fare and recent regulation in place was the government's newest step to re-convert Hagia Sophia into an active religious house. The fare is implemented to fund the conservation of Hagia Sophia as well as discouraging tourists from coming. Each year, this site is visited by over 3.5 million tourists.

In 2020, President Tayyip Erdogan declared Hagia Sophia as a Mosque. This declaration was immediately followed by international rejection by UNESCO, the western countries, and a number of Christians.

SKIFT | EURONEWS

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