In a significant preservation effort, Turkish authorities have launched an extensive restoration project on the dome of Hagia Sophia, aiming to reinforce the nearly 1,500-year-old structure against seismic threats. This marks one of the most comprehensive repair initiatives in the monument’s long and storied history.
Constructed in 537 under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia has served various roles—first as a cathedral, then a mosque, later a museum, and once again a mosque since 2020. Its massive dome, a marvel of medieval engineering, has withstood the test of time but remains vulnerable to earthquakes in this seismically active region.
The restoration will begin with the installation of a temporary roof structure to cover the dome during the work. The existing lead cover will then be removed and restored, while engineers reinforce structural weak points identified through seismic simulations. No timeline has been set for the project’s completion, though it is expected to take several years.
Ahmet Güleç, a member of the scientific board overseeing the restoration, told Daily Sabah, “The dome isn’t perfectly round. There are segments that need attention. We’ve found some areas filled with rubble or patched with wood. We’re working to balance the structure better so that it can withstand potential earthquakes.”
Hagia Sophia has a long history with earthquakes. Its original dome collapsed in 558, just 21 years after the church’s completion, and had to be completely rebuilt. Earthquakes also caused damage in 989 and 1346. In the 16th century, the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan added large buttresses to reinforce the structure—work that has helped the building survive to this day.
In a significant preservation effort, Turkish authorities have launched an extensive restoration project on the dome of Hagia Sophia, aiming to reinforce the nearly 1,500-year-old structure against seismic threats. This marks one of the most comprehensive repair initiatives in the monument’s long and storied history.
Constructed in 537 under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia has served various roles—first as a cathedral, then a mosque, later a museum, and once again a mosque since 2020. Its massive dome, a marvel of medieval engineering, has withstood the test of time but remains vulnerable to earthquakes in this seismically active region.
The restoration will begin with the installation of a temporary roof structure to cover the dome during the work. The existing lead cover will then be removed and restored, while engineers reinforce structural weak points identified through seismic simulations. No timeline has been set for the project’s completion, though it is expected to take several years.
Ahmet Güleç, a member of the scientific board overseeing the restoration, told Daily Sabah, “The dome isn’t perfectly round. There are segments that need attention. We’ve found some areas filled with rubble or patched with wood. We’re working to balance the structure better so that it can withstand potential earthquakes.”
Hagia Sophia has a long history with earthquakes. Its original dome collapsed in 558, just 21 years after the church’s completion, and had to be completely rebuilt. Earthquakes also caused damage in 989 and 1346. In the 16th century, the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan added large buttresses to reinforce the structure—work that has helped the building survive to this day.
See also Structural analysis of Hagia Sophia: a historical perspective and Dynamic analysis and earthquake response of Hagia Sophia
See also: How Hagia Sophia was Built
Top Image: Photo by By Jonah / Wikimedia Commons
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