Admission costs in Istanbul

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<hr>LOL! I've been visiting Istanbul off and on for 25 years and there has always been scaffolding inside the Aya Sofia... don't expect it to be gone any time soon! <hr></blockquote>

Well, I saw some Hagia Sophia's pictures in various new books and it looked as if the interior was free of scaffolding. That's why I thought all the scaffolding might be only a recent addition...

My first visit to the Ayasofia was about 30 years ago and even back then it had the scaffolding inside. I have started to consider it part of the site.

Also, the state-sites no longer have different rates for locals and foreigners. I think when the rates were equalized they also lost the student discount. People who still paid 'foreign' rates this year were cheated by the staff.

Finally, I think people should keep their big trap closed concerning what is expensive or cheap according to . other people.

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<hr>Well, I saw some Hagia Sophia's pictures in various new books and it looked as if the interior was free of scaffolding. That's why I thought all the scaffolding might be only a recent addition... <hr></blockquote> I've seen those too & there is an exhibition inside that shows it like that.

However we were there 3 weeks ago & there was giant scaffolding in the middle...

I just got back yesterday and the scaffolding is still there! BTW the entrance fee is a whopping 20 lira!! (more expensive than almost anything in Paris, even the first floor of the Eiffel Tower!