A Brief History Of The Hagia Sophia Tombs

Everyone is familiar with the stunning Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. The Sultan Tombs, which are part of the Hagia Sophia complex, are not as well known, yet they are home to some of the best Ottoman tile work and calligraphy on Earth.

Entrace Through Babıhümayun Caddesi

In a structure that’s part of the Hagia Sophia complex, with an entrance on Babıhümayun Caddesi, five 16th- and 17th-century Ottoman sultans rest in their tombs. Mehmet III, Selim II, Murat III, İbrahim I and Mustafa I are all buried here. It is also here that you can see examples of the fine Ottoman tile work, decorative paintwork and calligraphy that fill the entire space with a regal atmosphere. Among all the beauty is also the rather dire fact that both Mehmet II and Selim II are buried together with their sons. Murat’s five children died in a plague epidemic, while the five sons of Selim II were murdered to ensure the succession of the oldest son, Murat III – a common practice that was later replaced with the younger siblings of succeeding sultans confined in the kafes (cages) in Topkapı Palace.

The Hagia Sophia tombs showcase stunning decoration

Sultan Selim II

Sultan Murad III

The tomb of Sultan Murad III dates back to 1599 and was built by the architect Davud Agha and his assistant Dalgıç Ahmet Agha. One of the largest Ottoman tombs, it has a hexagonal layout with two domes, a marble facade and an arcade in the front. Simple from the outside, the tomb is ornately decorated inside with some of the most beautiful examples of coral red İznik ceramics from the 16th century and hand-drawn decorative paintwork. Another standout is the belt of polished thuluth (a script variety of Islamic calligraphy), with white on a dark blue background. Alongside Murad’s tomb, there are 54 more sarcophagi belonging to his wife Safiye, his daughters, women of the court and princes.

Intricate decorations line the ceilings of the tombs

Transformation Into a Museum

During the Ottoman Empire, after the conquest of Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. Some alterations were made to the interior, including the addition of minarets and the covering of Christian iconography with Islamic calligraphy and artwork. The mosque continued to serve as a significant religious and cultural center for the Islamic community.

Current Use

However, in July 2020, the Turkish government made the decision to convert the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, allowing it to be used for regular Muslim worship. This move sparked international debate and raised concerns about the preservation of its historical and cultural heritage.

You can visit the Hagia Sophia Museum as part of Culture Trip’s epic 12-day Turkey tour, led by our local insider.

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