Mosaic Lamp Workshop by Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Glowing mosaic lamp design with colored glass and geometric patterns, guided step-by-step by artisans.

The Mosaic Lamp Workshop by Hagia Sophia is a hands-on class in Istanbul where you design and assemble your own Turkish mosaic lamp using colored glass pieces and artisan tools, guided by master craftspeople. The workshop opens with a short film on the history of mosaic art from Byzantine to Ottoman times, then moves to the studio where you choose colors, set patterns and build your lamp step-by-step. While it dries you drink unlimited Turkish tea and eat traditional sweets. At the end you assemble and pack your finished piece to take home. The venue sits directly across from Hagia Sophia, making it easy to fit into a morning or afternoon exploring the Historical Peninsula.

The experience

The workshop starts with a film that traces mosaic art through Istanbul's history (from the Byzantine Empire through the Ottoman era), so you understand the tradition before you start making. Then you move into the creative studio and begin designing your own lamp. You work with a large glass base, exclusive colored glass pieces in shades like gold and turquoise, templates, and artisan tools. Master craftspeople guide you through choosing your colors and setting geometric patterns, building the lamp step-by-step so the process stays clear even if you've never done this before.

While your lamp dries, you settle into the warm studio atmosphere with unlimited Turkish tea and traditional Turkish delight: time to watch other makers at work, ask questions, or just sit with what you've made so far. Once the adhesive sets, you assemble the final pieces, fit the lamp together, and pack it safely so it survives the journey home. What you leave with is a glowing handmade piece that carries both your own design choices and the aesthetic legacy of Istanbul.

The studio location matters for logistics: it sits directly across Hagia Sophia and beside the Basilica Cistern, so you can build this workshop into a morning or afternoon on the Historical Peninsula without needing to travel far from the other sites. Public transportation stops nearby, and the whole experience runs about two hours, which fits neatly between other plans.

What’s included

• Your workshop includes all mosaic lamp materials and equipment: the large glass base, colored glass pieces, templates and artisan tools.
• unlimited Turkish tea and traditional Turkish sweets during the session.
• and a finished, packed lamp to take home.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00, from US$ 27 per person, with a live guide in English and Turkish, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Legends Of Istanbul

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a hands-on workshop you can fit into a morning or afternoon on the Historical Peninsula: the two-hour class works between other sightseeing without eating up your whole day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 13 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's the history of mosaic art that the film covers?

The opening film traces mosaic art from the Byzantine Empire through the Ottoman era, showing how the tradition evolved and shaped the designs you'll use in your own lamp.

Do I need any experience making mosaics or working with glass?

No experience is necessary. Master artisans guide you through each step (choosing colors, setting patterns, and assembling the lamp), so the process stays manageable whether you've done this before or not.

What happens to my lamp while it dries?

While your lamp dries, you stay in the studio enjoying unlimited Turkish tea and traditional Turkish delight, giving the adhesive time to set before you assemble the final pieces.

Is the workshop location easy to reach if I'm staying elsewhere in Istanbul?

Yes, the studio sits directly across from Hagia Sophia with public transportation options nearby, so you can reach it easily without a car and fit it into a day exploring the Historical Peninsula.