Built in 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I as a cathedral, Hagia Sophia held the title of the world's largest enclosed space for nearly a thousand years, marking a defining moment in architectural history.

Converted into a mosque after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the building today combines Byzantine mosaics with Ottoman-era calligraphy and a mihrab, blending two civilizations under one roof. Its massive central dome, seemingly suspended in mid-air through masterful use of light, has awed visitors for centuries.

As a singular monument bearing the marks of both Christian and Islamic heritage, Hagia Sophia stands at the heart of Istanbul's historic peninsula — just a few minutes' walk from Soie Boutique Hotel.