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New Restoration Phase Underway at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
ISTANBUL – Extensive renovations have commenced at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, marking a new stage in the ongoing preservation efforts at the iconic, nearly 1,500-year-old structure. This phase will primarily concentrate on enhancing the earthquake resistance of the historic domes of the monument.
Focus on Seismic Reinforcement of Domes
According to officials, the current project will involve strengthening the Hagia Sophia’s central dome and semi-domes. Furthermore, the restoration will include replacing the deteriorated lead coverings and modernizing the steel framework. Importantly, religious services within the mosque will continue uninterrupted throughout the duration of the work.
Crane Installation to Facilitate Renovations
A recently erected tower crane on the eastern facade is expected to aid in the renovation process. It will serve to transport materials efficiently, thereby accelerating the pace of the restoration work.
Expert Highlights Seismic Safety Concerns
Dr. Mehmet Selim Okten, a construction engineer and lecturer at Mimar Sinan University, who is also part of the scientific council overseeing the renovations, stated that “We have been engaged in a major restoration project at Hagia Sophia and its adjacent buildings for the past three years.” He further explained, “Concluding these three years, our focus has shifted to the seismic integrity of Hagia Sophia, specifically the minarets, the main dome, and the primary arches. This emphasis is largely due to the anticipated Istanbul earthquake.”
The earthquake of magnitude 7.8 that struck southern Turkey in 2023, which caused widespread destruction of buildings and resulted in over 53,000 deaths, served as a stark reminder of seismic risks. Although Istanbul was not directly affected by that particular event, the devastation in southern Turkey heightened concerns about the potential impact of a similar earthquake in Istanbul, given the city’s proximity to active fault lines.
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Significant Intervention in Historical Structure
Dr. Okten described the current undertaking as a “new phase” and emphasized it as the most substantial intervention in over a century and a half, and possibly in the entire history of the Hagia Sophia.
Protective Measures and Academic Examination
“A tower crane will be positioned on the eastern side, and subsequently, we will encase the summit of this unique edifice with a protective scaffolding system,” Okten elaborated. “This will enable us to conduct our work with enhanced safety and to thoroughly examine the building’s structural layers, including damage resulting from fires and earthquakes recorded in the 10th and 14th centuries.”
Hagia Sophia’s Rich History
Originally constructed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453. In 1934, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, decreed its conversion into a museum.
While an annex of Hagia Sophia, known as the sultan’s pavilion, has been used for prayer since the 1990s, various religious and nationalist groups in Turkey had long advocated for the nearly 1,500-year-old structure, which they view as the heritage of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, to be re-established as a mosque.
In 2020, Turkey’s highest administrative court reversed the 1934 decree, paving the way for Hagia Sophia to once again function as a mosque.
Modern Techniques for Preserving Heritage
“We have finalized our work on the four minarets and the main building structure,” Okten confirmed. “However, for this distinctive cultural legacy, referring to the domes, our intention is to employ contemporary, lightweight materials while ensuring the building remains accessible to the public.”
Public Approval of Restoration Efforts
Visitors to the Hagia Sophia site have expressed positive opinions regarding the restoration plan.
Rupert Wegerif, a lecturer at Cambridge University, commented, “Hagia Sophia is extraordinary, truly one of the world’s most significant monuments. It seems absolutely essential that they are reinforcing it against earthquakes and undertaking its preservation.”
Transparent and Ongoing Process
Okten indicated that while a specific completion date for the renovations is not yet defined, the entire process will be conducted openly and subject to public observation to ensure transparency.