Hagia Sophia Undergoes Major Restoration to Prepare for Future Earthquakes
ISTANBUL – Istanbul’s legendary Hagia Sophia, a 1,488-year-old architectural icon that has served as a church, mosque, and museum through the ages, is now undergoing an extensive restoration to both preserve its historic beauty and strengthen it against potential seismic threats.
Famed for its magnificent dome, shimmering stonework, and slender minarets that define the city’s skyline, the ancient structure is currently shrouded in scaffolding along its eastern side and one of its minarets, signaling the start of critical preservation efforts.
“This renovation may alter the visual appeal for now, but it’s absolutely essential,” noted Abdullah Yilmaz, a local guide. “The scaffolding affects the look, sure—but maintaining the structure is far more important.”
Hagia Sophia, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Türkiye’s top tourist attractions, faces constant structural challenges, said Hasan Firat Diker, an architectural expert involved in the restoration.
“Throughout history, the building has undergone multiple partial repairs. This time, however, we’re executing a comprehensive restoration—everything from the dome to the walls and minarets,” Diker explained.
A Monument Through the Ages
Originally completed in 537 AD on the ruins of earlier churches, Hagia Sophia stood as a hallmark of Byzantine architecture in what was then Constantinople. After the Ottoman conquest in 1453, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935, under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s secular reforms, it became a museum. In 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan restored its mosque status.
Now, the monument not only reflects centuries of religious and political change—it also must contend with the geological realities of life in a seismically active zone.
Earthquake Preparedness
With Istanbul situated near a major fault line, seismic risk is a serious concern. Hagia Sophia’s dome, for example, collapsed during an earthquake in 558 and has endured damage from several others over the centuries.
Ahmet Gulec, a member of the scientific team overseeing the project, emphasized that the priority is reinforcing the structure to minimize potential damage from future quakes. “The goal is to ensure this historic monument can withstand the next major earthquake with as little damage as possible,” he said.
Experts are currently assessing the dome to determine the safest and most effective methods for reinforcement. Although the interior is scaffold-free for now, future plans involve erecting four large internal pillars to support a restoration platform, allowing specialists to work on the dome’s intricate mosaics and paintings.
Despite the ongoing work, the atmosphere inside remains awe-inspiring. “It’s absolutely magical,” said Ana Delgado, a tourist from Mexico. Her friend Elias Erduran, visiting from the Dominican Republic, agreed: “You can really feel the history.”
Tourist Attraction and Sacred Space
In 2024 alone, Hagia Sophia welcomed approximately 7.7 million visitors, including 2.1 million international tourists. Entry fees for foreign visitors, set at 25 euros, generate significant revenue.
Authorities hope that the restoration will not discourage tourism. While full completion is expected to take several years, prayers and visits will continue throughout the process.
“The aim is to keep the doors open for both worshippers and tourists,” Gulec stated.
For visitors like Yana Galitskaya from Russia, the temporary changes are a small price to pay for long-term preservation. “Even if we don’t see it in its full glory now, it’s worth it if my children can one day admire Hagia Sophia the way it’s meant to be seen,” she said.
