Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum

With being one of the most beautiful examples of late Byzantine churches, the building has a high-caliber dome with three entrances to the north, west and south of the portico. The main dome of the building is covered with various vaults over it. Different lifts are given to the roof and covered with tiles.

In addition to Christian art, the effects of the Seljuk Period Islamic art are seen in the ornaments where a superior stone workmanship is seen. It sits at the western entrance of the city along the on the highway. This museum is one of the most important buildings of Byzantine monuments in Trabzon.

Between 1238 and 1263, during the time of Manuel Komnenos I, it was built as a monastery church with the use of the Byzantine style, the Georgian onion dome, and the harmony with the Seljuk stone procession. After the conquest of Trabzon by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, it was converted into a mosque in 1511 and became a foundation work.

The building, which was used as a mosque for many years, underwent a radical repair in 1864. It was used as a mosque after being used as a depot and military hospital for a while during World War I. It was restored in 1958- 1962 with the cooperation of the General Directorate of Foundations and Edinburg University and the frescoes were cleaned and then opened as a museum after 1964.

The construction of the bell tower, 25 meters west of the museum, dates back to 1426-27. It is thought that it was used to watch the stars, even to teach astronomy, as well as being used as a possibility of a lighthouse. On Friday, June 28, 2013, prayers were made and a prayer opened the building again as a mosque after 52 years. The building, which is used as a mosque and whose historical features have been preserved, is open to domestic and foreign visitors.

Distance from Our Hotel to Hagia Sophia Mosque