Virtual Tour of Hagia Sophia with Şerif Yenen

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World" by historians, is one of the most visited places in the world in terms of art and architecture history. Hagia Sophia was a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica (church) for 916 years, later an imperial mosque for 481 years, and now a museum for 85 years.
We feel very lucky to have Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. Can you imagine, how many other 1500-year-old monuments with the roof still on top, there are around the world?
Well, lockdown measures may not allow you to travel and visit places of interest. However, I will bring some of them to you starting with an online cultural tour of Ayasofya in English. My virtual guided tour will soon be available on KZbin. You can also ask questions during the tour.
Let me emphasize that this is not in a documentary format, but a guided tour. I will be interpreting Ayasofya with breathtaking images and videos.
⭐️ Credits
Producer
Şerif Yenen
Directors
Levent Ayaşlı & Şerif Yenen
Director of Photography
Candan Murat Özcan
Camera
Erdoğan Aktaş
Script
Şerif Yenen
Editor
Levent Ayaşlı
Post-production
XLeventfilms
Production Assistant
Erdoğan Aktaş
Sound
Erdoğan Aktaş
Social Media Marketing
Rovshan Rasulov
Cansu Yılmaz
For more information about Serif Yenen you can visit www.serifyenen.com
⭐️ Follow me on social media.
► Instagram: / serifyenen
► Facebook: / serifyenentr. .
► Facebook: / travelinturkey
► Twitter: / serifyenen
► Linkedin: / serifyenen

[@lindanash518]

Serif, I have traveled the world and you are the best tour guide I ever had. You always provide great information, unique details, and in a warm and friendly style. I hope to visit Turkey again one day. Keep up the wonderful programs! This one provided great memories.

[@SerifYenen]

Thank you very much Linda, I am so glad. I hope we overcome this lockdown period and start traveling again. See you.

[@djalaluddinlubis4341]

Very good virtual tour. Would you please this video translate into Indonesia language. Thank you

[@bobk29]

Uuuuui

[@holdenkylo6859]

i know Im randomly asking but does anybody know of a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost my password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@shepardmadden8931]

@Holden Kylo Instablaster =)

[@SpirosKiriakopoulos]

As a Greek, I congratulate this man for his very original explanation, knowledge and his respect for his art, history. What a nice demonstration.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot:)

[@skittlezz5727]

Greek culture, a gift to the world...

[@induchopra3014]

Beautiful church❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jjgreek1]

What the Greeks have built is truly amazing

[@dewd9327]

Romans*

[@jjgreek1]

@@dewd9327 oh yes the Greek-speaking Romans with Greek names, greek Language and alphabet, withHellenic culture and customs, who were members of the GREEK Orthodox Church, and who actually hated the western real Romans

[@dewd9327]

@@jjgreek1 western real Romans? The Byzantines were the real Romans. The westerners apart from Italians are Germanics who tried to usurp Roman power after tearing the western Empire apart.

[@jjgreek1]

@@dewd9327 they were Greek, spoke Greek, lived in the general area since 2000 BC, they may have called themselves Romans but they were Greek. They hated the western church and the Italians, My dad was a Rum, but he was Greek through and through.

[@skittlezz5727]

@@dewd9327 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantium

[@Plopiccolo]

Just a beautiful Christian church.

[@ranahassaan6568]

NOT IT IS THE PLACE OF MUSLIMS. IT IS NOT A CHURCH

[@SpartanLeonidas1821]

Beautiful Greek Culture! 🇬🇷✊🏻

[@altinayarex]

Şerif çok güzel bir anlatım oldu. Emeğine sağlık

[@SerifYenen]

Çok teşekkürler Emrecim:)

[@mauriceharron8803]

Serif Yenen, has given us a comprehensive tour of Hagia Sophia, and it is the best, and most detailed account, any where on the Internet. Many thanks.

[@SerifYenen]

Thank you very much. I am pleased to hear this.

[@HalukDuruduygu]

I didn't understand how the time passed quickly, almost one hour. I learned many things about AyaSofia, amazing presentation, thank you Şerif. Looking forward to hear new online tours. Thank you...

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot Haluk, your input is very valuable.

[@omerdovan4456]

Teşekkürler Şerif eline sağlık çok güzel hazırlanmıştı. Tümay Dovan

[@SerifYenen]

Teşekkürler Tümay:)

[@jamesanonymous2343]

>>>> YOU SIR ARE A BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT TRAVEL,,,,LIKE ME,,,,,, PEACE BE WITH YOU,,,,AND YOURS !!!

[@dionf3858]

Such an amazing piece of architecture, I hope it is restored as a church one day as it was originally intended to be

[@DarkDennis1961]

MMy favorritee building in all the world. I look forward to the tour.

[@SerifYenen]

Mine too:)

[@MrUraniumProductions]

Beautiful church

[@SerifYenen]

Yes, it is:)

[@birolkaynar2764]

Serif Bey, We look forward to your next online tour :)

[@gabrielcanario1368]

Mr. Yenen you started the program by saying "let's enjoy this together." I am a Christian and I would love to enjoy the Hagia Sophia with my Muslim brothers and sisters but I cannot pray there like you can. I would love to be able to pray there on holidays, etc. If this were allowed I think Christians from all over the world would go to Turkey as a pilgrimage and we could become closer. I have met many Turkish people all of whom have said that this should be done. This would be a giant leap for world peace and reconciliation.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks. I would love the Hagia Sophia to be a museum again, open to the whole world as a world heritage sight.

[@Ekimoglu]

Never mind the Islamic liturgical objects that they have placed in the structure; just because some politician issues a decree does not change the nature and identity of what is a 1,500 year old cathedral. If you have ever visited the site you can tell that it is clearly not a mosque. So if you go there, you can pray as you like, ignoring others. Haghia Sophia is what it has always been, you just have a bunch of Muslims praying in it now. (from a Turk)

[@osmanziya]

O kadar güzel İngilizce konuşuyorsunuz ki beni de konuşmaya özendirdiniz.. teşekkür ederim.

[@SerifYenen]

teşekkürler:)

[@donweber2492]

Serif Yenen is the best tour guide I have had on my many trips. He is a great guide.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks Don, I hope you are doing well.

[@aylinkocak6481]

Thank you Serif Yenen for the delightful tour and special thanks for the production to Levent Ayaslı.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot:)

[@paulharvey2396]

Thank you for this good work God bless you and family amen

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks Paul:)

[@alivedatoygur540]

it has been a great spectacular virtual tour.Many thanks to Mr Yenen and hope to continue the programme

[@SerifYenen]

Yes Mr Vedat, new tours are on the way.

[@servet6457]

Wonderful tour, great story telling genre with calming music background. Thank you so much for this great presentation. You’re the master of tour guides 👍

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot Mr Servet, we are so glad that you have enjoyed our tour.

[@verak226]

Thank you so much

[@nitruxtheimperator5770]

Honestly. This virtual tour had so many information. Telling stories of the mosaic art while showcasing the architecture is amazing. Underrated video. Never visited Turkey thanks to the wonderful pandemic but I really want to. Thanks for the video

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks for your great comment.

[@nataliachiorean8281]

in my opinion Turkey is the best country for me , I love it

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Wow! Even an endorsement from Glee the Cat!! That's a big deal! 😁 This was genuinely wonderful, thank you so much!! My favorite way to travel during the pandemic.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot:)

[@eminepala6892]

Şerif Bey harika bir video olmuş ağzınıza sağlık. Yorumlardan da anlıyorum ki diğer ülkelerden birçok insana ulaşmışsınız. Videoların devamını hevesle bekliyoruz. Teşekkür ederiz.

[@SerifYenen]

Teşekkürler Emine hanım, üzerinde çalıştığımız yeni turlarımız olacak.

[@melbosquenegro826]

I have visited this year in january, all mosaics are covered except for the one in the entrance. Even the ones in the dome have been covered with cloth but no work is being done. Hagia Sophia is open 24 hours for worship, but museum is closed because of restorations. It is amazing and inspiring, even moving though. I am very thankful for this excellent quality video, allowing me to see what I couldn't in spite of having visitied it 7 times during january, 2022. Thank you-best guide ever, great amazing well informed content.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks.

[@kelliebollas865]

Serif, you need to check your facts regarding what the mosaics mean. Apart from that a great insightful tour of Agia Sophia.

[@MichlKern]

Absolutely great presentation, thank you for the invite to join this tour! It was magnificent.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot Michael. I am so glad.

[@waynedixon9976]

Fantastic documentary and very informative as I will be visiting this remarkable structure very soon.

[@johnmcclellan9020]

Hagia Sophia is a Christian Cathedral regardless of Erdogan's mosque decree. Justinian will always protect and guard her holy structure as a Christian Cathedral.

[@rehabsiddig2309]

So beautiful presentation. Thank you

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks:)

[@glenkotzen2761]

Hi Serif it was wonderful to enjoy your virtual tour of the Hagia Sophia together with you once again. Always the most professional and knowledgeable tour leader. Our family look most forward to joining you once again in Turkey. kindest regards Kathi Kotzen, Cape Town South Africa

[@SerifYenen]

Thank you very much Kathi, looking forward to meeting you again.

[@serdarguven7076]

Great presentation...! Thank you....

[@SerifYenen]

It is our pleasure:)

[@angelawagener1414]

Fantastic guided visit. Thank you Serif!

[@SerifYenen]

thanks Angela:)

[@gulceozkutuk]

Thank you for this amazing tour 👏

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks:)

[@newplaceusedbooks3797]

Excellent tour of this amazing building. Thank you, Serif!

[@SerifYenen]

thanks a lot Lynette

[@williamleslie4903]

My wife I were participants of your Grand Circle Turkey Tour in 2013. We still remember the tour as one of the best and you as one of the most excellent tour directors. This presentation surely brought back lots of wonderful memories of our time in your country. Now that we are currently unable to travel because of the Covid-19 virus we wanted to be sure that you knew how much we appreciated the ability to relive our trip through your virtual tour. We look forward to future presentations. Perhaps, someday, we can return to Turkey. Stay healthy.

[@SerifYenen]

Dear Bill and Judy, how nice:) I am so glad. I hope you are doing well. Thanks a lot:)

[@jpeg1973]

An amazing tour of an amazingly special and beautiful place! Great stories, information and music! I hope to see it in person one day!

[@SerifYenen]

You are welcome anytime:)

[@andyt9550]

Mr. Serif, thank you so much for this tour video. I hope can visit Turkey soon, especially this amazing place. Greetings from Indonesia.

[@SerifYenen]

I hope so Andika, thanks a lot.

[@danilad7818]

Hello from Canada .

[@Roblox_AyNaz_Edits]

Şerif harika danışırsan səni nə zaman dinliyorsam rahatlanıyorum❤

[@tuba1650]

Really made my day! Thank you for this engaging presentation with beautifully selected music and all the detailed information Serif Yenen👏

[@SerifYenen]

we are so glad, thanks.

[@nyomankandia3320]

Serif is very professional tourist guide as I know

[@SerifYenen]

How are you doing my friend? I hope everything is going well.

[@mirzaameer351]

Alhamdulillah this place is a mosque again.

[@gabrielladirocco9814]

Compliments!!! Cok guzel. Cok. Cok.

[@joelrebollar7055]

Thank you for the video, the wonders of medieval Roman art and architecture never ceases to amaze me.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks, it is the same for me.

[@hasanshaikh4463]

I visited this wondrous place today. Great lecture and I ask anyone reading this who hasn’t seen it, try to see it. It is an architectural marvel.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks.

[@teodoraradanovic9511]

Thank you so much for this great tour,I was very pleased to listen to your narration,I can do it over and over again.Looking forward to another one great tour with you! Çok teşekkür ederim!

[@SerifYenen]

thanks a lot Teodora:)

[@UchihaDanny]

This is absolutely incredible! Very well narrated and I'm in awe of such a place

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot Daniel:)

[@nikolaiemmanuelbowinkelman5384]

Sherif. you are really speciál. Your historical knowledge is really deep. I think you're a old reincarnated soul from a ancient. byzantinian life.

[@johnkey979]

This gentleman is like a favorite teacher he makes it easy and enjoyable to digest large amounts of information. Thank you thank you very much and keep up the good work

[@SerifYenen]

Hello John, thank you so much for your beautiful words:)

[@johnkey979]

@@SerifYenen my mother would be upset if I didn't

[@johnkey979]

Sorry about that I had to go cook dinner real quick what I was going to say was my mother would be upset if I didn't thank you for the considerate comments you made to me thank you very much you're a very kind man

[@nikolaacimovic8854]

I adore Hagia Sophia.Hier I have heard of dome details for the first time.Very insightful guide.Thank you so much.

[@gokhanolmez2653]

As a tour guide, I enjoyed a very nice explanation with some perfect quality scenes. Thank you Şerif, and thanks again for reminding me how much I've missed my job ...

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot Gokhan:)

[@mocotto8642]

Amazing tour. Thank you.

[@mohansawhney8024]

Thanks to you Mr Yenen I could finally see what I was not allowed to see two weeks ago. As a catholic priest, I absolutely wanted to see the mosaics in the gallery but it was closed. When I informed in the cultural centre of the Haya Sofia next to it, a veiled woman of the centre told me they were still existing(!) but covered with a veil and since it had become a mosque no one was allowed to visit them anymore. You can understand my frustration and my anger at such a narrow minded interpretation of Islam where unlike what you said in your beautiful presentation there is in fact no coexistence anymore between christianity and islam in the haya Sofia. In the mosque and in the cultural centre they were plenty of booklets in all languages saying Islam is superior to Christianity and our religion is a fraud. I came out with a feeling of total disgust, anger and frustration. Shame, shame on the Turkey of Mr Erdogan!

[@nickleonard6296]

Wonderful tour! Thank you Serif!

[@SerifYenen]

Our pleasure, thanks Nick.

[@ozgurozkir4781]

As expected , another fantastic work by SERİF YENEN . delightful presentation on Hagia Sofia , enjoyed every second ! , thanks !!

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot Ozgur, I am so glad.

[@yoimi33]

Beautiful music and extraordinary piece of construction for us to enjoy!

[@SerifYenen]

So glad:)

[@supernovasupernova9371]

@@SerifYenen what is music playing, it is so nice! artist & title of music?

[@wiernypies3081]

Pity it is now a mosque again. Galleries closed for tourists. Mosaics coversd with cloth, floors with factory carpets.

[@uysalyenipnar8530]

Tebrikler Şerif Bey. Öğrencilerim de yararlanıyor. Saygılar.

[@osmanziya]

Teşekkür ederim ve Başarılar dilerim Aziz Kardeşim

[@SerifYenen]

Teşekkürler.

[@gokhangurel1058]

Wonderfull tour and amazing footages from Ayasofya

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks.

[@Houston123ABC]

You are soooooo good at this! There are countless history videos on KZbin, but your knowledge, passion and great presentation skill stands out.

[@SerifYenen]

Thank you soooo much for your encouraging comment:)

[@VasiliskGUU]

Thank you for sharing

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks:)

[@beatricegalea9112]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful video of such a magnificent building the Hagia Sophia! Love your cultural tour videos.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot. Hope to meet you on one of my tours.

[@romaray]

A very beautiful video of the Ayasofya. The more one looks at its beautiful interiors, the more one is fascinated by and attracted to it's glories !!! 🌹

[@drgeozach]

Beautiful tour! Loved it. Made me feel like I was at the place itself and to know all about the beautiful history. Thank you for this

[@SerifYenen]

I am so glad to hear this, thanks a lot:)

[@kursatkadircanli9734]

Sherif i loved your explanation.... :))

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot:)

[@Mesozoic_mammal]

We have been there last week. It is a shame that so many mosaics are covered or closed of from the public these days.

[@nicholasjohnson8630]

Şerif, you present these wonderful buildings with such empathy and humanity- thank you. I do hope that the coexistence of religions that you so rightly praise still maintains today. I do not think Allah or God would be upset by different holy images, and it is an indication of expansive generosity and broadmindedness to permit that coexistence, as well as being a sign of civilised cultural sensitivity.

[@nataliachiorean8281]

Amazing presentations , thank you to my colegue Serif Yenen

[@marianadalrafa]

AMAZING. Thank you so much for this video. That was so interesting and so perfect. I was there last year and I wanna go back now.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks Marla:)

[@ronmaass4430]

Best tour I've had of the Hagia Sophia TX

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot. I am pleased.

[@DarkDennis1961]

This was a wonderful and informative tour of one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire world..

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks Dennis. Great.

[@lidyani7785]

Just visited Hagia Sophia and got really curious on its history. Then i found this video on a youtube, really insightful! Thank you for the great video.

[@SerifYenen]

Thank YOU, for your nice comment.

[@cihatalcicek3765]

Absolutely wonderful style of presentation, explaining tiny details which are hard to notice even during a personal visit, thanks a lot!

[@SerifYenen]

Thank you so much Mr Cihat:)

[@GokselSelcuk0]

Şerif abi genç bir tur rehberi olarak senden çok şey öğreniyorum.Kattıkların için teşekkür ederim.

[@SerifYenen]

Faydalı olduğuna sevindim, başarılar dilerim.

[@birolkaynar2764]

Dear Serif, We are looking forward to watching the tour...

[@SerifYenen]

It will be my pleasure. I hope you enjoy it.

[@gretakacinskyte4101]

What a wonderful tour!

[@NancyKulkarni]

wonderful tour - thanks!

[@SerifYenen]

our pleasure:)

[@TheTVCriticorg]

Really looking forward to it! (Robin)

[@johnkey979]

Dear fine sir once again another tremendous show can I just say your choice of music for all of your shows is truly spectacular thank you so much

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks, music was chosen by my editor friend, Levent Ayasli.

[@jamesanonymous2343]

THANK YOU SERIF, FOR THIS WONDERFUL EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF STRUGGLE AND FULLFILMENT,

[@SerifYenen]

thanks:)

[@fardalyilmaz8627]

Serif bey, Very wonderful tour, thaaank you sooo much for this wonderful & insightful virtual tour, such a great ideas. You are the master of tour guides. I will share your channel to my subscribers, to more people. I love it. look forward to watching your next videos.

[@SerifYenen]

It is my pleasure, thanks a lot. I am so glad.

[@mitchellbetts1165]

Wonderful Serif! I actually saw things that we weren’t able to se during our trip!

[@SerifYenen]

You are right Mitchell, thanks.

[@alpertunga3300]

gerçekten çok özgün ve güzel bilgiler veriyorsunuz. tebrik ederim.

[@SerifYenen]

Sağolun.

[@OlympusKnight]

Keep your beautiful video! I wish I could have seen Sophia the way it was in your video. Pure peace ☮️🥺

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks:)

[@user-mn5tj8tx3s]

Thank you Şerif bey.Very good presentation.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot:)

[@SimaoPBT]

Thank you very much for the amazing tour! I hope to be able to go in person some day.

[@SerifYenen]

Yes, let us do it. But let us be healthy first.

[@selsabellafitriana9452]

your story telling is really wonderful, thank you for the information

[@SerifYenen]

It is my pleasure, thank you)

[@Riyan886]

The most informative about hagia sophia. I would like to visit this building very much 😍😍😍

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks:)

[@SwedenTheHedgehog]

I am so happy that this video exists, to preserve the TRUE experience of visiting Hağia Sofya. Currently, if you visit the monument, the floors are covered in garish carpeting and most of the christian mosaic is covered by draped curtains, and as far I know you can no longer access the upper floor, ever since it was re-purposed as a mosque in 2020. I am endlessly happy and thankful that I got to visit before this took place.

[@jefflea9239]

Thank you for your interesting and informative tour!

[@SerifYenen]

With pleasure, thanks Jeff.

[@parte1489]

Congratulations from Mexico Mister Yenen, your videos are superb!!!

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks a lot:)

[@terezasayeg]

Many thanks, Serif! It is fascinating, also because my grandmother was a Melchite and I think this has something to do with Byzantine rites.

[@SerifYenen]

My pleasure Tereza:)

[@rahmat7570]

Amazing presentation. Thank you.

[@SerifYenen]

Thanks for your interest.

[@AK-kh9fv]

Hocam ağzınıza sağlık

[@misskitty2270]

Thank you, Serif, for this enlightening presentation! Such a beautiful and rich history this great monument has! I love the ingenious and considerate plastering technique for the mosaics and the stories behind the donors!

[@misskitty2270]

I do have a question; I was just wondering what the other large calligraphy roundels' depicted names were? I know there was Allah, Muhammad (SAW), and Ali (RA); I'm not too familiar to read the others. Thanks!

[@SerifYenen]

@@misskitty2270 thanks Kitty. The other four of them are the first four caliphs in Islam. The last two are the two grandsons of prophet Muhammed, Hasan and Huseyin.

[@misskitty2270]

Şerif Yenen Thanks! I assumed so! When were they added?

[@SerifYenen]

@@misskitty2270 19th century