Hagia Sophia of Trabzon
13th-century Byzantine church, now a mosque, with rare frescoes — smaller sister of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia.
Built in the 13th century as the main church of the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond, the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon combines Byzantine architecture with later Ottoman details. Its name is Greek for “Holy Wisdom”. Both it and Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia began as churches and were later converted to mosques; Istanbul’s dates from the 6th century, Trabzon’s from the 13th.
The building sits in a garden above the western seafront, five minutes from Meydan. Its frescoes are among the finest surviving examples of late Byzantine painting, and the terrace views over the sea make it a natural first stop on a city tour.
- →An active mosque: modest dress, headscarves for women, and no visits during prayer times — Friday midday is best avoided.
- →Pair with the Ayasofya seafront and a Black Sea boat trip for an easy afternoon.
Tours visiting this place
Hotels nearby
Modern five-star on the Beşirli coastal road, close to the sea, parks and the city centre.
Practical four-star in Meydan with Moloz Bazaar directly behind — best value for central stays.
Classic five-star in the heart of Meydan — the most central full-service hotel in the city.
Places nearby
- Ayasofya seafront & harbour0.2 km
Seafront promenade below Hagia Sophia, departure point for Black Sea boat trips.
- Beşirli Park0.8 km
Family park near Papara Park, Trabzonspor’s stadium.
- Atatürk Pavilion1.0 km
Wood-and-stone mansion and museum with one of the city’s most beautiful gardens.
- Zağnos Park1.7 km
Large park beside the castle, popular for family barbecues and children.
- Trabzon Castle1.9 km
Byzantine-era walls of the old city, next to Zağnos Park and Varlıbaş Mall.
- Varlıbaş Mall2.0 km
Compact mall next to the castle and Zağnos Park.