Istanbul's Hagia Sophia to undergo biggest refurbishment in 1,500 year history

One of the world's most iconic and historic structures, Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, is to undergo a major renovation. 

Türkiye's culture and tourism minister announced on social media, the aim was that "the dome be made more resistant to earthquakes." Mehmet Nuri Ersoy added "the original state of the structure will be meticulously preserved."

Built as a church in the sixth century under the emperor Justinian I, the World Heritage Site is considered by many as the greatest surviving example of Byzantine architecture. Having served as a site of worship for Christians until the fall of Istanbul in 1453, the Hagia Sofia was converted to a mosque by the conquering Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II. It remained a muslim holy site for almost half a millenia until 1931. 

After being closed by the new Republican government under President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, it reopened four years later as a museum. In July 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the decision to convert it back to a mosque, after a court ruling declaring the 1934 decree invalid.

Quake risk

Parts of southern Türkiye are still recovering from deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquakes in February 2023 that caused widespread destruction and left over 53,000 people dead. Seismologists have long warned about the potential impact of even smaller quakes on Istanbul, a city of 16 million and home to many UNESCO listed buildings.

The dome of the Haigha Sofia has fallen down three times previously in it's 1,500 year history, including once just decades after its initial completion.

Türkiye's culture and tourism minister has released details of the proposed works. It's claimed the thrust of the upgrade will be carried out on the dome's exterior which will be “temporarily covered with a steel structure and a special tarpaulin to prevent weather conditions and to protect the mosaics (inside the building).” 

Comments on the post, which include an animated video explainer, were disabled. 

Changes for visitors

After its conversion back to a working mosque in 2020, significant changes were made for visitors to the Hagia Sofia. The original Ottoman era marble floors on the ground floor have been covered with prayer rugs, while screens cover Christian iconography in some areas. 

Tourists must also pay a $21 entrance fee, which the authorities say has been partly imposed to help restrict footfall. Since its reconversion to a mosque in 2020, over 25 million visitors have come to the Hagia Sofia, including  many muslims from other parts of the world seeking to pray at the celebrated site.

In his post Minster Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said 'Worship will continue, history will be preserved,' as the renovations are completed.