Hagia Sophia Mosque Istanbul | Turkey Trip || Aya Sofia Travel
In Grip on Trip, we're visiting Hagia Sophia mosque. It is situated in Sultan Ahmet area of Istanbul. Sultan Ahmet is the most important area of Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are here. Grand Bazar and Eminonu are adjacent to Sultan Ahmet.
You can reach Sultan Ahmet through metro train which drops you right in front of this mosque. If you come via ferry, you can reach here on foot. If you are coming from airport, Askray stop will suit you. If you are in Istanbul, you must spend a couple of days in Sultan Ahmet area. I am staying at Stanpoli hotel for 27$ per night. Breakfast of both of us is included in 27$. Hagia Sophia is 300 away from our hotel.
Let's walk to Hagia Sophia mosque. There is a small market before Hagia Sophia mosque. It has gifts shops and restaurants. I am standing in front of Hagia Sophia mosque. It has been converted to a mosque from museum. We will go inside today. There used be a ticket but as it has become a mosque so entry is free now. We discuss its history and see its current condition. It's restoration is underway and large number of people is visiting this place. This building was built in 300AD about 1750 year ago.
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| Hagia Sophia Mosque Istanbul | Turkey Trip |
It remained 2nd largest church in the world for 1000 years. Sultan Muhammad Fateh converted it into a mosque after conquering this city. It remained a mosque for next 500 yaear. In 1930AD, Mustafa Kamal Atarurk converted it into a museum. Recently, in the rule of Tayyip Erdoğan, it has been converted into a mosque. Sultan Ahmet conquered Constantinople and changed its name to Istanbul. The name of Hagia Sophia was also changed. This guy is the first of his kind who has come alone from Pakistan.
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| Hagia Sophia Mosque Istanbul | Turkey Trip |
All alone? Yes. Why so? Had some mission? Just for enjoyment. Alone? Very good. Some people can't dine alone. He has come from Islamabad on 3 day tour. You will explore Istanbul? Yes. Amazing. You have to stand in line for Hagia Sophia. It's a long line. They entry to a specific number of people during specified time then come more people. It is our line. The give entry to about 100 visitors in one go. We will go in next turn Inshallah. As you enter from main gate, there is a small building for Wazu. We met some Indian friends who were students. How would you change the name of Akbar Ilahabadi?
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| Hagia Sophia Mosque Istanbul | Turkey Trip |
Names do not disappear from the minds of the people. The area in which I live in Lahore is Krishan Nagar. The adjacent area is Sant Nagar. The ground where we have been playing since childhood is Nehru Park. Mongia street, Prem Nagar, Rajgarh, we have many such areas in Lahore alone. There are many old houses. I have watched on Facebook and Youtube that many places in Pakistan have Hindu names till today. Our message is love and peace. Thank you so much brother. God protect you! Women cannot enter during prayers time. You have to cover your body, including head, to enter its hall. The code of ethics for entry are same. Foreigners are provided a shawl to cover their body as you can see. You have to keep your shoes outside but keep your socks on.
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| Hagia Sophia Mosque Istanbul | Turkey Trip |
Bare foots are not allowed even for males. Lets explore and see its almost 1750 years old walls. Subhan Allah! What a beautiful and grand interior! The calligraphy is so perfect. Turks are known for calligraphy. Alhamdulillah! My wish to offer prayers in this mosque came true. I did not let him give me tough time. I snatched immediately. He came to know your grip is good. Grip on Trip arrived and we gripped at once. This ice cream is little heavy as compared to ours. I am feeling cheese like substance. Baskin Robin has the same type of ice cream. It is different and tasty. We got vanilla and chocolate.
If I speak more, it can melt further. I have met someone for the first time who watches my vlogs. Where are you going sir? I have come from UK and will go back to UK. I will go to Pakistan after a week. How do you find our vlogs? Mashallah very impressive. It was great pleasure meeting you, sir. I am also very happy to meet you. Abdul Rehman, I have come to this conclusion that life so peaceful here and the biggest secret of that is everybody is minding his/her business. One more reason is that people are educated.
People in hotel, on tram, tour operators, all of them made us feel relaxed. Nobody tried to tease or influence us. All of them talked to us politely and professionally. We have felt this major difference in tourism industry. We see conditions in Swat, Murree, Naran during season. This country gets major part of revenue from tourism. Their behavior and practices are examplary. Do tell me in comments about this episode. If you want to see the shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari RA, Click Here! If you want to know how you can reach Ertuğrul Gazi's tomb from Istanbul, Click Here! Stay with me on Grip on Trip and SUBSCRIBE my channel.
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