The Hagia Sophia Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most famous and historical attractions, attracting over 13 million visitors yearly.
It holds the tombs of five famous Ottoman Sultans, allowing visitors to discover an exciting look into their life and influence!
Visitors planning to explore the mysterious mausoleums of the Sultans surrounding the Mosque must know all the details to schedule a visit.
In this article, we’ll uncover the entrance to the Tomb and discover details about the people buried here!
Entrance & Timings to the Tombs
The Mausoleums are not inside the Hagia Sophia, so they each have their own entrances, which are easy to locate from the Mosque.
They are quicker to reach from the Topkapi Palace, which is a 3-minute walk from the Mosque.
We recommend asking for directions from the ticket booking office on the site.
In 2023, the tombs’ opening hours were from 9 am to 5 pm, but this changed regularly, and no fixed updates are available for 2024.
Please note: The mausoleums have no fixed opening and closing hours, so there is no guarantee you will be allowed inside while visiting.
The Tomb of Sultan Selim II
The octagonal Tomb is the most beautiful since it was crafted by the famous architect Mimar Sinan!
It has a stunning marble facade with a mother-of-pearl inlaid entrance in the Kundekari style of architecture.
The entrance has geometric tortoise shell-like patterns made of wood on it as well!
The door is decorated with panels made of 16th-century tile, which feature a bunch of different-colored flowers as a pattern.
Sultan Selim II was a famous Sultan of the Ottoman period known for his quick expansion of territory and viciousness in war.
The mausoleum is not only a place for his body but also a resting place for his family and descendants.
There are 42 sarcophagi in the Tomb, resting his wife, Nurbanu Sultan’s body, with her five sons and four daughters!
The Tomb of Sultan Murad III
The hexagonal Tomb of Sultan Murad III, standing between the Tomb of Selim II and the Princes, was constructed in 1595.
David Aga, with help from Dalgic Ahmet Aga, crafted this resting place for the Sultan four years after his death.
It is a marble structure with two domes and a beautiful arched entrance that looks plain from the outside but a treasure from the inside!
The Tomb of Sultan Murad III is the largest, and its interior features a hand-drawn ornamentation design.
You can see stunning 16th-century Iznik ceramics with coral red ink, a must-see!
The inside walls of the Tomb are decorated with polished white tiles against a navy blue background, showing a stunning belt of Celi Sulus calligraphy-style writing.
The Tomb has many windows, and unique wooden kundekari cupboards stand at their base.
You can see 54 sarcophagi in the Tomb, belonging to him and his family, housing the remains of his wife Safiye, his daughters, and courtiers.
The Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III
Architect Dalgic Aga crafted Sultan Mehmed III’s octagonal Tomb in 1608, with two stunning domes and many entrance decorations.
As soon as you get to the Tomb, you will see uncommon designs of stars, flowers, and scenes that were not popular during the period.
Years later, spaces were added to hold the remains of Mehmed’s daughters and other family members.
From the inside, you will see minimal decorations of blue tiles lining the base of the windows since the outside has so much design.
Historical stories are written on the walls of the mausoleum’s side facing Baba Humayun Street.
The Tomb currently houses 26 sarcophagi of the Sultan’s mother, Handan, his sons and daughters.
Tombs of Sultan Mustafa I and Sultan Ibrahim I
The Tombs of Sultan Mustafa I and Sultan Ibrahim I stand in the old Baptistery of the Church of Hagia Sophia.
It has an octagonal shape with a unique rimless dome and was used to store lamp oil during the Ottoman rule.
This Tomb contains around 19 sarcophagi, including the tombs of the children of Ahmet I, Ahmet II, and Murat IV.
Contents
Tombs of the Princes
The Tomb of the Princes is the plainest Hagia Sophia tomb, with limestone-covered facade walls and a dome roof.
It is in a quadrilateral shape, standing close to the Tomb of Sultan Murat II.
The entrance has hand-drawn plant motifs, flowers, and ribbons throughout.
The inside of the mausoleum has unique geometric wooden laths on all walls that interlock.
You can see the tombs of Sultan Murat II’s daughter and four princes at this mausoleum.
Rules for Entering the Hagia Sophia Tombs
The Tomb of the Sultans follows the same rules as the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
You must dress modestly, ensuring your knees, shoulders, and feet are completely covered.
Women must wear head coverings when entering the Mausoleums, but hats, caps, and sunglasses are not allowed inside the tomb area.
Visitors will need to take their shoes off before entering the Tombs.
FAQs on Hagia Sophia Tombs
Who is buried at the Hagia Sophia?
The Ottoman Sultans Selim II, Murad III, Mehmed III, Mustafa I, Sultan Ibrahim I and their family members are buried at Hagia Sophia.
Which is the most beautiful tomb of all at the Hagia Mosque?
Mimar Sinan’s artistic Tomb of Sultan Selim II is the most stunning because of its Kundekari-style facade and hand-decorated interiors.
Where is the entrance to get to the Tomb area?
The entrance to the Tomb is easily found if you walk from the Hagia Sophia Mosque to the Topkapi Palace, which is three minutes away.
Do the tombs follow the exact timings of the Hagia Sophia Mosque?
The tombs follow different times, which change regularly. The last updated timings in 2023 were from 9 am to 5 pm.
When were the tombs around Hagia Sophia built?
All the tombs around the Hagia Sophia were constructed in the 16th century.
Do I need tickets to see the Hagia Sophia Tombs?
You don’t need tickets to explore the Tombs of the Hagia Mosque.
What are the rules to follow when visiting the Tombs?
Both men and women must cover their shoulders, legs, and knees while entering the tombs. Shoes are not allowed inside, and women must cover their heads with a scarf.
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Featured Image: Commons.wikimedia.org
