“The temporary platform that has been constructed inside the monument is fully adequate to support the heavy equipment,” stated a member of Hagia Sophia’s Science Board, following the backlash caused by the image of a crane truck inside Hagia Sophia.
Specifically, photographs showed the vehicle on the floor of the monument, parked on temporary protective plates, as well as another vehicle positioned near the so-called Imperial Gate, the main ceremonial entrance of the site.
Furthermore, according to hurriyetdailynews.com, Professor Ahmet Güleç stated that smaller cranes had reached their height limit at 25 meters, necessitating the use of larger equipment. The platform beneath them was designed after extensive technical planning and is capable of bearing around 30 tons per square meter — far more than the crane’s maximum load of six tons.
He detailed the platform’s layered structure, built to protect the historic marble floor while providing stability for scaffolding components brought in from outside. The cranes are essential for preparing an upper protective covering that will shield the dome during cleaning and seismic reinforcement of its lead coating.
Güleç noted that heavy summer rains pose significant risks if the dome is exposed, making the temporary roof indispensable. The cranes will remain only until the platform and related structures are completed, likely by the end of the year. He acknowledged that officials should have communicated the restoration process more clearly to the public.
