Türkiye Grand Mosque enters most comprehensive restoration in its history

Despite its shift in function over time, sacred site continues to embody sense of timelessness and reverence

ISTANBUL, Türkiye (MNTV) – One of Türkiye’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, has entered the most extensive phase of restoration in its 1,486-year history.

With a focus on structural reinforcement and preservation, the effort aims to safeguard the monument’s architectural integrity while maintaining access for worshippers.

The restoration—guided by a scientific board and coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Directorate General of Foundations—comes amid renewed global interest in the site. 

Once a cathedral, later an imperial mosque, and then a museum before being reconverted into a mosque in 2020, Hagia Sophia continues to attract millions of visitors from around the world.

Under the oversight of the scientific board, led by experts including professors Ahmet Güleç and Asnu Bilban Yalçın, the project is designed to address key structural issues, particularly concerning the main dome. 

Recent assessments have shown that the dome, while historically resilient, requires urgent reinforcement to withstand potential seismic activity. Some sections were found to contain makeshift repairs, including areas patched with wood and rubble.

To ensure both restoration and religious services can continue without disruption, a specially engineered steel platform—reaching 43.5 meters high—will be installed inside the mosque. 

Supported by four main columns, the platform will allow teams to work on the upper sections while preserving the mosque’s daily prayer schedule.

The restoration will begin with external work, including the removal of outdated plaster, joint repairs, and the application of historically accurate materials designed to protect the structure from weathering. 

Lead coverings on the dome will be repaired or replaced from the exterior, with a steel frame and protective enclosure temporarily installed to shield the ancient mosaics from environmental damage.

The mosaics within the dome, some of Hagia Sophia’s most treasured features, represent its rich Byzantine heritage and have been preserved through centuries of transformation. 

Professor Yalçın noted that the restoration work, which has been underway in phases for more than a decade, has recently accelerated with renewed attention on the eastern and northern facades. 

She emphasized that this latest phase marks a new chapter in Hagia Sophia’s long history—one shaped by modern technology and global cooperation.

“Hagia Sophia has undergone repairs in both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods,” she said. “Today, we are adding another layer to that legacy using contemporary techniques, while ensuring the site remains connected to its historical roots.”

According to Yalçın, UNESCO has been kept informed at every stage of the project, with transparency a key element of the restoration. 

“This is a monument full of surprises,” she said. “Every phase presents new challenges, but the dedication of the team and the significance of the building push us forward.”

As restoration efforts intensify, Hagia Sophia continues to offer both spiritual solace and cultural insight, standing as a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring power of historical preservation.