Turkish authorities plan to dismantle the dome of Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia. Photo: protothema.gr

The Turkish authorities plan to dismantle the dome of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul as part of a large-scale restoration project aimed at preserving the historical and structural integrity of the world-renowned monument, reports the Greek resource protothema.gr.

The work is being carried out under the supervision of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Restoration efforts on the tombs of Mehmet III, Selim II, and Murad III have been completed recently. Now, the focus will shift to the dome, whose restoration is considered a complex task due to the mosaics and architectural features of the building.

“The underside of the dome is covered with mosaics, which makes structural intervention from below virtually impossible,” said Ahmet Gülüş, a member of the scientific committee overseeing the work.

“To address this, the restoration will focus on the exterior of the dome, starting with the removal of the lead covering and cement materials that have been damaged over time,” he added.

Preliminary research has identified structural anomalies in the dome's covering, making it necessary to develop a plan for dismantling the outer layer and assessing the condition of the structural elements.

Gülüş clarified: “We will use materials and methods appropriate to the Ottoman era to ensure the stability of the dome and preserve its original character.”

To facilitate the work and protect it from weather conditions, a temporary shelter will be constructed over the dome, allowing for work to continue year-round without interruption.

The dismantling and subsequent repair work are scheduled to begin in March or April, following the approval of the project by the scientific committee.

As reported by the UOJ, Erdogan described the Hagia Sophia as a symbol of the Turkish era.

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