Little Hagia Sophia Mosque

The Kucuk Hagia Sofia is a 'little' replica of the main Hagia Sofia Camii. This building started its 'life' as a church in the 6th century and then following the conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century was converted into a Mosque, similar to the main Hagia Sofia. This Mosque is about a 7-9 minute walk from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii). Highly recommend visiting the Mosque. We stopped over for our Asr prayer after having prayed the Friday (juma) prayer in the 'buyuk' Hagia Sofia Mosque

Little Hagia Sophia is one of the most important early Byzantine buildings in Istanbul. It was erected in the sixth century by emporer Justinian between 532-536 and converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. The building stands in Istanbul, in the district of Fatih and in the neighbourhood of Kumkapı, at a short distance from the Marmara Sea. It is actively used by worshippers to offer their prayers, and therefore there is no admissions ticket required. It is surrounded by hotels, cafés, souvenir, shops, and massage Studios. Very interesting place and definitely worth a visit.

Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus is not a replica of Hagia Sofia and is a must see. In the pillars you can still see the monograms of emperor Justinian and empress Theodora who built it. The poem inscribed in Greek on the cornice reads as follows: “Other emperors have honored the dead, Their labors were unrewarded. But He who now holds our sceptres, pious Justinian Honors with an illustrious house Sergius, servant Of Christ, King of the universe, whom neither the flickering flame, The sword, nor any other torture could hurt, But who was constant unto death for Christ our God And merits heaven by his blood. May he always Protect our ever-vigilant emperor And augment the sway of Theodora, crowned by God; She whose piety enlightens the soul; whose ceaseless Activity and unremitting good works bring Relief to those who are crushed by poverty”.

Free unlike the big Hagia Sofia. Like the Blue Mosque they provide the scarves and skirts

The Little Hagia Sofia Mosque is an important monument of Byzantine architecture, dating back to the reign of Emperor Justinian the Great. Often overlooked by tourists, it offers a peaceful and authentic atmosphere that is rare in Istanbul’s historic center. Inside the courtyard, there is a small arts and crafts center where local artisans sell their handmade creations. If you are looking for an authentic — and not overpriced — souvenir that isn’t mass-produced in China, this is the perfect place to visit.

i did not come here as a visitor but a worshiper. my and my parents prayed fajr 3 times here. it is quiet and serene. very calm to focus on your prayer. there is an old water pump inside. i wish i could go to the second floor to see the whole hall but the door was closed.

A worth-to-visit byzantine building that was once an orthodox church before converted into a mosque in the Ottoman era. The interior is not as decorated as other mosques, but it's interesting to see some legible Greek inscriptions on the columns. The area is not very crowded while only around 10 minutes walk from the Suleymaniye area

Little Hagia Sophia This once church now mosque feels gutted. Sadness washed over me as I saw what had once been a glorious church now feeling on the verge of abandonment. I walked through it admiring its original structure and design while at the same time my senses were offended by more recent changes that largely do not form well to its original structure. Is it worth popping in? Most certainly. What has been left of its glory remains glorious nonetheless. Just brace yourself for its current condition.

When we arrived at the Basileus Hotel for our week in Istanbul, the staff suggested that my mom and I visit the Little Hagia Sophia. It is literally about a one minute walk from the hotel, so off we went. Emperor Justinian had this built as a church in the sixth century. Under the Ottomans, it was turned into a mosque. This structure and the Hagia Sophia are contemporaries, and have similar design, but neither is a model for the other. This mosque is a small one--you can stand in one spot in the room and see the full interior upon entrance. Still, it has the features you'll be used to seeing in other mosques, like the carpet designed to allow for worshipers to have proper spacing and be lined up for prayer. It also has very vibrant color on the interior and the windows let in beautiful light. It's not a site that takes much time to see, and I would not travel here if I was not in the area, but if you are nearby, a stop here wouldn't be out of order.

We decided to visit the "Little Hagia Sophia" (so called because it was also built by Justinian, along similar lines to the Hagia Sophia) before visiting some of the larger and more famous buildings. It is certainly less spectacular than the Hagia Sophia, but it has something to offer for people who are interested in older buildings. Do not expect original Byzantine architecture, however, as it has been heavily modified over the centuries, most recently to brace it against the vibrations from the railroad which runs right next to the building. For one thing, it is far less crowded, and you can take your time examining the paintings which decorate the upper galleries without feeling pushed or rushed. Although we did not have a language in common, the caretaker ensured that we saw all public parts of the building, by inviting us to climb to the gallery when we otherwise wouldn't have done so. As with all active mosques, you need to take off your shoes before entering, and women are asked to wear a headscarf. There were headscarfs you could borrow just inside the door. There is no charge to visit.

Great to see this since it was the practice run for and built 5 years before Hagia Sophia. And although it has been converted into a mosque and parts added on, it still shows its origin as a church. Also we could go upstairs and explore the entire place without any interference and yep - there will a few ppl praying.