FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Türkiye has launched the first-ever comprehensive restoration of the main dome of Hagia Sophia, aiming to reinforce the historic structure against earthquakes while preserving its original design.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that a steel platform is being constructed on four 43.5-meter-high columns to allow restoration work to proceed without disrupting worship.
As part of the process, the dome’s lead covering will be removed to assess structural integrity, said Hasan Firat Diker, an academic involved in the project.
The connections between the main dome and its surrounding semi-domes will also be examined to ensure precise reinforcement.
The restoration is part of a broader 50-year initiative launched in 2023 to address the centuries-old wear on the 1,500-year-old landmark.
Originally built as a cathedral, Hagia Sophia later became an Ottoman imperial mosque before serving as a museum from 1935 to 2020. It remains one of Türkiye’s most visited historical sites.
The main dome, spanning 31 meters in diameter and rising 56 meters high, is celebrated for its architectural brilliance and cultural significance.