Historic Domes of Hagia Sophia Undergo Renovations to Protect Iconic Landmark from Earthquakes

Historic Domes of Hagia Sophia Undergo Renovations to Protect Iconic Landmark from Earthquakes

Turkey has launched a significant renovation project at Hagia Sophia, aiming to preserve the historic monument's seismic safety. The nearly 1,500-year-old structure, which was once a Byzantine church and later an Ottoman mosque, is undergoing crucial renovations to safeguard its main dome and half domes from the threat of earthquakes.

According to officials, the project involves reinforcing the iconic main dome and half domes, replacing worn-out lead coverings, and upgrading the steel framework. This critical work will be carried out while worship continues uninterrupted in the mosque.

A newly installed tower crane on the eastern façade is expected to facilitate the renovation efforts by transporting materials and expediting the process. The crane will also enable workers to examine the building's layers academically, including damage suffered from fires and earthquakes in the 10th and 14th centuries.

The three-year-old project has been designed with a focus on preserving Hagia Sophia's seismic safety, following a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southern Turkey in 2023, leaving hundreds of thousands of buildings destroyed or damaged and over 53,000 people dead.

Dr. Mehmet Selim Okten, a construction engineer and member of the scientific council overseeing the renovations, described the new phase of work as the most significant intervention in over 150 years. A tower crane will be installed on the eastern facade, and then we will cover the top of this unique structure with a protective frame system, he explained.

Built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537, Hagia Sophia was converted into an Ottoman mosque after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk transformed it into a museum in 1934, but Turkey's highest administrative court overturned this decree in 2020, allowing it to reopen as a mosque.

Visitors to the site have expressed approval of the plan, with Cambridge University lecturer Rupert Wegerif stating that it is really important that Hagia Sophia is strengthened in case of earthquakes and preserved for future generations.

While the exact timeline for completion is unclear, Dr. Okten assured that the process would be open to the public to monitor transparently.

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