Little Hagia Sophia

The Little Hagia Sophia mosque is a former Greek Orthodox Church located between the Cankurtaran and Kadırga districts, in the west of the Sultanahmet neighbourhood in Istanbul. It is one of the original buildings in Istanbul, belonging to the early Byzantine period, known for its stunning architecture. The beautiful marble columns on the ground floor and the gallery on the second floor are a must-see.

Initially, the Little Hagia Sophia was constructed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian as a Church. Built in 530, this church was dedicated to St. Bacchus and St. Sergius, and after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul, Bayezid converted it into a mosque. The mosque's structure flaunts an elegant umbrella dome having an alternate series of eight flat sections and eight concave sections. It stands on eight polygonal pillars. There is a portico and a madrassa in the front, added during the Ottoman period. Also, there is a small garden, a fountain for the wash-up, and several small shops. Little Hagia Sophia is a five-minute walkable distance from the famous Blue Mosque.