Hagia Sophia remains top tourism attraction of Istanbul
Jan, 23 2016
Author: newsroom
The Byzantines left behind their legacy in the top tourist attraction of Istanbul
The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry released data showing that
the Hagia Sophia church that operates as a museum was Turkey’s most
visited tourist attraction of 2015. Last year, 3.47 million people
visited the Byzantine Christian Orthodox basilica built in the 6th
century before it was converted to an imperial mosque in the 15th
century with many of its exquisite mosaics plastered over and ruined
forever. Now, with restoration work having taken place to recover some
of the mosaics that had been destroyed, the basilica is a museum that
tourists rush to visit.
Hagia Sophia was also the most visited site in Turkey in 2014. The church museum was followed in popularity by the Topkapı Museum with 3.25 visitors and Konya’s Mevlana Museum with 2.34 million visitors.
The Pamukkale Hierapolis ancient site, the Göreme Openair Museum (Cappadocia), Topkapı Palace’s Seraglio, the ancient city of Troy, and the Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı underground cities were also among the top 10 tourist attractions in Turkey last year. Istanbul was the most visited city by tourists last year, followed by the Central Anatolian provinces of Konya and Nevşehir.
All up, 28.45 million visitors rushed to 325 museums and ancient sites around Turkey in 2015. Despite the negative climate for tourism, there have already been 6.63 million cards sold as part of the Museum Card system, initiated by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry in 2008.
Hagia Sophia was also the most visited site in Turkey in 2014. The church museum was followed in popularity by the Topkapı Museum with 3.25 visitors and Konya’s Mevlana Museum with 2.34 million visitors.
The Pamukkale Hierapolis ancient site, the Göreme Openair Museum (Cappadocia), Topkapı Palace’s Seraglio, the ancient city of Troy, and the Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı underground cities were also among the top 10 tourist attractions in Turkey last year. Istanbul was the most visited city by tourists last year, followed by the Central Anatolian provinces of Konya and Nevşehir.
All up, 28.45 million visitors rushed to 325 museums and ancient sites around Turkey in 2015. Despite the negative climate for tourism, there have already been 6.63 million cards sold as part of the Museum Card system, initiated by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry in 2008.