The Minarets of Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia has four minarets, all added by the Ottomans after 1453. As a Byzantine cathedral it originally had none — the minarets are what transformed its silhouette into that of a mosque.
Four minarets, added over a century
The first minaret was added by Sultan Mehmed II right after the conquest of 1453. Sultan Bayezid II added a second, and the two matching western minarets were built by the great architect Mimar Sinan under Sultan Selim II in the 16th century. Sinan also reinforced the structure at the same time, helping the building withstand earthquakes.
Hagia Sophia without minarets
For its first 900 years — from 537 to 1453 — Hagia Sophia stood without any minarets, crowned only by its vast dome and half-domes as the cathedral of Constantinople. If you picture it "without minarets," you are picturing the Byzantine church. See how it changed in our before and after guide, or read about it as a church.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many minarets does Hagia Sophia have?+
Hagia Sophia has four minarets, one at each corner. They were all added by the Ottomans after the 1453 conquest.
Who added the minarets to Hagia Sophia?+
The first was added by Sultan Mehmed II in 1453, another by Bayezid II, and the two western minarets by the architect Mimar Sinan under Sultan Selim II in the 16th century.
Did Hagia Sophia originally have minarets?+
No. As a Byzantine Christian cathedral from 537 to 1453, Hagia Sophia had no minarets. They were added only after it became a mosque.
What did Hagia Sophia look like without minarets?+
It looked like a great domed church — a central dome flanked by half-domes — which is exactly how it appeared for its first 900 years as the cathedral of Constantinople.