The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has launched a new and ambitious phase in the ongoing structural reinforcement and maintenance works of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, focusing primarily on earthquake-proofing the historic central dome and its surrounding semi-domes.
The new works—described as the most comprehensive structural intervention in over 150 years—aim to protect the iconic monument from potential seismic threats, particularly in light of predictions concerning a major earthquake expected in the region.
Despite the scale of the works, the Turkish authorities have confirmed that the liturgical function of Hagia Sophia as a mosque will continue uninterrupted.
Advanced Engineering for a Historic Challenge
According to Mehmet Selim Ökten, associate professor at Mimar Sinan University and member of the scientific council overseeing the project, the restoration efforts have been ongoing for three years and are now entering a critical phase focused on seismic protection.
“We are now concentrating on shielding Hagia Sophia from earthquakes, especially given the forecasted seismic activity in the city,” said Prof. Ökten. He noted that a protective steel frame will be erected to allow safe access to the dome while enabling detailed analysis of historical damage, such as that caused by fires and past earthquakes in the 10th and 14th centuries.
On the eastern façade, a crane will be installed to facilitate the transport of materials to the higher sections of the monument.
Protecting the Mosaics
In a recent post on social media platform X, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized that the restoration will be carried out from the exterior of the dome to avoid any impact on the precious interior mosaics.
“The lead coatings on the dome will be carefully removed, repaired, or replaced,” he stated. “To protect the structure from the elements and safeguard the mosaics, a temporary steel platform and special tarpaulin will be installed around the dome.”
A video accompanying his post illustrates the planned steel structure, which will rest on four main columns, each standing 43.5 meters tall.
Broader Restoration Efforts
The new initiative builds upon previous works, including the ongoing restoration of one of Hagia Sophia’s four minarets—built during the reign of Bayezid II—where structural cracks had been discovered.
Back in July 2023, Minister Ersoy had already announced a series of projects aimed at enhancing the structural integrity of Hagia Sophia, which has faced various challenges over its 1,500-year history.
To ensure visitor safety, steel scaffolding has been in place inside the building, preventing potential hazards from falling materials.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
