Hagia Sophia in Dan Brown's Inferno
Where Fiction Meets Byzantine History
Dan Brown's 2013 bestseller 'Inferno' features Hagia Sophia as a crucial location in Robert Langdon's race against time through Istanbul. The novel brought renewed attention to the monument's mysteries and hidden spaces.
In the Novel
Professor Robert Langdon, alongside Dr. Sienna Brooks, follows a trail of clues through Istanbul's historic sites, including Hagia Sophia. The ancient monument's underground cistern and mysterious passages play a pivotal role in the thriller's climax.
Featured Locations
The Main Nave
Where Langdon decodes clues hidden in Byzantine architecture
Underground Cistern
The subterranean waterway connected to Hagia Sophia
The Galleries
Upper levels with ancient mosaics mentioned in the novel
Film Adaptation
The 2016 film adaptation starring Tom Hanks filmed scenes in and around Hagia Sophia, although many interior shots were recreated in studios due to preservation concerns.