Renovation to secure future of iconic mosque

The famous Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul is due for a major renovation aimed at reinforcing the 1,500-year-old structure to withstand future earthquakes in the seismically-active region. One of the key challenges will be carrying out the works while allowing prayer services to continue uninterrupted within the mosque.

Originally built in 537 AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the massive domed edifice was for centuries the world’s largest building and is considered the greatest example of Byzantine architecture. It served as an Orthodox Christian cathedral for over 900 years until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, when it was converted into a mosque.

Seismic Strengthening

“One of the primary purposes of the upcoming renovation is to strengthen the building against earthquakes,” said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism. To enable this while keeping the mosque open, a 43.5-meter-high steel platform will be installed resting on four main pillars.

The exterior of the iconic dome will be temporarily covered by a steel structure and special tarpaulin to protect it from the weather and safeguard the interior mosaics during the works.

Hagia Sophia was closed for renovations from 1931-1935, after which Turkey’s government re-opened it as a museum. However, in a controversial move in 2020, authorities reconverted it back into a functioning mosque.

The renewal project aims to preserve this architectural masterpiece and place of worship for generations to come in one of the world’s most active earthquake zones.