As cities go, Istanbul’s history makes it one of the most fascinating, patchworked hubs around, and the Hagia Sophia, a vast complex which has operated as a cathedral, a mosque, a museum and then a mosque again, is a core part of its skyline.
But now the building, which has been standing for 1,486 years, is undergoing some landmark restorations – but with a structure this old, it’s not going to be easy.
Asnu Bilban Yalcin, a Byzantine art historian, told Reuters that the works ‘open an important page in the book of Hagia Sophia’. Preserving the building’s iconic dome is the most critical part of these restorations, so here’s what we know about how it will unfold.
The dome’s coverings will be dismantled and either repaired or replaced, and a protective steel structure will help protect the interior and shield it from seasonal weather. Inside the building, four columns will support a platform to allow for restoration of the Hagia Sophia’s mosaics, and a crane will be used to work on the roof, dome and minarets.
Simulations of a large earthquake have been used to identify weak points in the building – appropriate, after this week’s 6.2 magnitude tremor – but experts are expecting to uncover more once works have actually begun.
‘It is truly a structure full of surprises because sometimes things develop in a way we do not expect. That is, you design and plan it, but when you open it, things may develop differently,’ said Yalcin.
So, what’s so special about Hagia Sophia? Well, it was the largest cathedral in the world for a good nine centuries before Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conquerer captured it in 1453 and transformed it into a mosque.
Around 70 years ago, Türkiye’s secular republic turned the building into a museum, but since 2020 it’s been back in use as a mosque, welcoming both worshippers and visitors (though the latter have had to pay entry since early 2024). It’s been UNESCO-protected since 1985.
There are no plans to restrict access to the complex while the works are taking place – reports say it will remain open to both worshippers and visitors – but there’s also no completion date penciled in, so the restoration could take quite some time.
Keep an eye on this page for more updates, and have a look at all the other brilliant things to do in Istanbul.
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