Semiotic analysis of Istanbul's touristic buildings: Examples of Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet Mosque

In this study, The Hagia Sophia Grand and Sultan Ahmet Mosques, which are among the most visited heritage buildings in Istanbul, had examined with the method introduced by Roland Barthes. Some studies have shown that tourists want to have meaningful memories in the places they visit, and to understand and explore these structures. It is also known that tourist guides are an important factor in creating meaning. From this point of view, the study contributes to the tourists' acquiring meaningful memories and understanding and exploring these structures, as well as the meaning-making process of the tourist guides. The study will make important contributions to tourists who seek meaning in their visits and to guides who are an important factor in their search for meaning. As a result of the study, it was seen that The Hagia Sophia Grand and Sultan Ahmet Mosques had similar and different meanings. Moreover, This study will set a light to examine the structure of other cultural-touristy in Turkey through semiotical way.