Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Experiences Its Most Extensive Restoration in 1,500 Years

Istanbul’s renowned Hagia Sophia is currently experiencing extensive renovations concentrating on its domes, as announced by the Turkish government in April. This initiative is regarded as one of the most crucial repair undertakings in the nearly 1,500 years of the site’s existence. The primary aim is to strengthen and safeguard the domes against seismic activity, given Istanbul’s susceptibility because of its two fault lines. A recent earthquake registering 6.2 in magnitude in the city and the recollections of 2023’s catastrophic earthquake in southeastern Turkey highlight the pressing need to secure this cultural heritage landmark.

The restoration procedure entails raising the dome’s lead cover to locate delicate areas requiring intervention. Specialists will evaluate the main cupola and its connections to the adjoining semi-domes. The team, directed by architect Hasan Fırat Diker, includes architects, engineers, and art historians who will work together to establish an effective plan. They will inspect the four supporting pillars and the adjacent ground support. Diker describes this as potentially “one of the greatest restorations of the current period in Turkey.”

The Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has a multi-faceted history, initially constructed as a cathedral, then transformed into a mosque in 1453. It was designated a museum under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and remained that way for more than 65 years until President Tayyip Erdogan reinstated it as a mosque in 2020. Diker mentions that the dome has experienced various reconstructions, leading to an imperfect shape due to the layers added over time. The real concern lies in the structure that supports the dome, with its cracks becoming increasingly visible when exposed.

Despite the scaffolding, the Hagia Sophia will remain accessible to visitors throughout the restoration process, which does not have a specific completion deadline due to its complexity.