Hagia Sophia
Turkey reopens former Byzantine Chora church as a mosque amid muted objections
Most of the Istanbul monument’s ancient frescoes and mosaics remain on view after restoration
Why we should be concerned about President Erdogan turning museums into mosques
Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church will remain “open to all”, Turkish government promises—but restricted access may not be the primary worry
Russia to fund small-scale replica Hagia Sophia in Syria that will be used as a church
Tactical move comes after Turkish president ordered historic Istanbul site to be turned into a mosque
Some of Hagia Sophia’s mosaics will be covered during Muslim prayers
A spokesman for Turkish President Ergodan said curtains would hide depictions of the Virgin Mary and the archangel Gabriel when the site opens for worshippers on Friday
Hagia Sophia will be mosque again, Turkish president Erdogan says
The controversial decision is likely to set off a storm among cultural heritage officials
Court ruling converting Turkish museum to mosque could set precedent for Hagia Sophia
Decision that Kariye Museum must become a Muslim house of worship again could imperil its Byzantine art and have repercussions for other early Christian monuments
Erdogan says museum and former cathedral Hagia Sophia will become a mosque again
The Turkish president wants the monument to serve as a place of worship flouting international pressure to retain the site’s current neutral status