The main Armenian church of Ayasofya (Holy Sophia Church) in Istanbul will now require foreign tourists to pay a fee of 25 euros for entrance. These new regulations will be implemented starting Tuesday. Visitors will enter the church through the southern gate and will be required to visit the souvenir shop. Additionally, an audio guide is available in 23 languages and visitors have the option to receive prayer beads and light candles in the church.

Turkish citizens who wish to come to the church to pray will not have to pay an entrance fee. The Tourism Administration announced that the new regulations will help establish a queue system and facilitate the ongoing restoration works.

In July 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed an order declaring that Ayasofya church has been converted into a mosque, and religious ceremonies are now held there. During that time, entrance to the church was also free.

Source: NEWS.am