Hagia Sophia is truly an architectural masterpiece that never fails to leave me in awe. Whether it's my very first visit or a return trip to Türkiye, it remains a must-see destination, whether I'm exploring solo or with my family. The moment I step inside, I'm immediately captivated by the grandeur and historical significance of this iconic monument. The intricate details of the mosaics and the sheer size of the dome are truly remarkable. It's a place where history, art, and spirituality seamlessly come together. Every visit to Hagia Sophia is a profound experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone exploring Istanbul.

It seems that it is 90% under renovation but that is not entirely correct. You can only walk on the aisles and the nave is no longer visible. Nevertheless, it is one of the rare examples of ancient holy sites retaining its museum status even now.

The museum in the Church of St. Irene, for which you will have to pay 500₺ for an entrance ticket, is somewhat peculiar. In the sense that there are no museum exhibits there at all. Except for one thing - the church building itself. One of the most ancient buildings of Constantinople - Istanbul. The history of the Church of St. Irene, as is known, began in 337. During the reign of Emperor Justinian I in 532, the church was burned during the Nika uprising and rebuilt five years later. It was seriously damaged during the Constantinople earthquake on October 26, 740, but was restored and remains unchanged to this day, more than 12.5 centuries... The Church of St. Irene is also known for the fact that it was never converted into a mosque (after the fall of Constantinople it housed the Ottoman arsenal). When walking through the Church of St. Irene, pay attention to the black cross on a golden background, located on the concave surface of the apse in such a way that its lines seem perfectly straight to the observer, from any viewing angle! The syntron (rising steps for bishops' seats) from the era of early Christianity is also unique. Summary: the Church of St. Irene is an ideal place that provides an opportunity to touch ancient history. Although, undoubtedly, local authorities need to think about the restoration of this magnificent historical monument...

The Monastic Church The First Byzantine Church. When Constantine rebuilt the city, he built the Church of the Moonlight on top of Roman temples in his name in the 330s. Moon Irini is the only atrium church remaining from Byzantine times. It''s got a very mysterious, mystical atmosphere.

There isn't a ton to see here, but if you're going to Topkapi Palace (which you should), you might as well because it's included in the ticket. I believe (and hope) it's being restored, because you can't see the upstairs or the very back of the church. That said, you can see some of the original marvel, so that was cool. I just wouldn't pay extra for it, nor would I spend more than 20 minutes here. I didn't realize it was included in the Topkapi Palace ticket, and the staff there was very kind; they let me have a one day temporary ticket, but that could have been easily avoided. So grateful for the wonderful hospitality of the Turks!