Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
A 6th-century church built for Justinian I — small, charming and quiet.
From Meşale Restaurant & Cafe to Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
Why visit?
After the crowds of Hagia Sophia, this small, quiet mosque is a wonderful place to rest. The interior is elegant and the garden is peaceful.
Short History
The story goes that Justinian, unjustly accused of treason during the reign of his uncle Justin I, was saved through the intercession of Saints Sergius and Bacchus and vowed to dedicate a church to them if he came to the throne; the building is among the first works of his reign. It was completed around 536, roughly a year before Hagia Sophia (537). Between 1506 and 1513 it was converted into a mosque by Hüseyin Ağa, Chief of the Gate of Felicity.
About
Built between AD 527 and 536 for the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, Little Hagia Sophia (the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus) was completed shortly before Hagia Sophia. Converted into a mosque at the beginning of the 16th century, it sits in a quiet quarter a few minutes south of Sultanahmet.
The least known Byzantine building in Sultanahmet. Most visitors never come here — it is calm and peaceful. You can have a glass of tea in its garden.
What to know before visiting
Photo spots
The facade from the garden
The flowering garden and the mosque facade
The dome from inside
The elegant dome and columns
How to get here from Meşale
From Meşale 660 m (11 minutes)
T1 tram — Sultanahmet stop, then a 6 min walk
Street parking is limited. A taxi is recommended.
Your map app calculates the time from live traffic, so we don't print a fixed figure here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Little Hagia Sophia was completed around 536, roughly a year before Hagia Sophia. The two were long assumed to share the same architects, but that view is disputed today; calling it a "trial model" is a later embellishment.
Visit Information
- From Meşale
- 11 min (660 m)
- Visit duration
- 20–30 min
- Hours
- Open outside prayer times
- Ticket
- Free
- Best time
- Before midday — fewer crowds
- Busy
- Low
- Accessible
- Limited
- Family Friendly
- Yes
Highlights
- 6th-century Byzantine
- Contemporary with Hagia Sophia
- Quiet atmosphere
- Peaceful garden
Tags
Nearby places
Source & Freshness
- Last checked:
- September 4, 2026
Hours and prices are for guidance only. Please confirm with an official source before your visit.