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constructed over a thousand years after it was first built.
Most of the twentieth century saw the Hagia Sophia stand as a museum to all religious beliefs until in 2020 it was returned to a mosque, a move that drew condemnation from many quarters including UNESCO and the World Council of Churches. In the past few years, the reversion to an operating religious temple has seen many question whether the Hagia Sophia should retained UNESCO protection however, despite it being a working mosque it still allows visitors regardless of belief or faith and is something that needs to be seen by all travellers to Istanbul.
Istanbul is a city full of religious temples, it could be argued that there’ s a mosque for almost every street in the great city, simply walk anywhere across the metropolis and you will find something yet discovering the unusual seems to be the perfect way to spend a day or two exploring.
Walk towards the waterfront and you might find yourself coming across something that seems oddly out of place, a Catholic church constructed not of stone nor brick, but of iron despite the columns and
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