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Türkiye has launched a major new phase in its ongoing restoration of the nearly 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, aiming to protect the historic structure from future earthquakes.
The work will focus on reinforcing the main dome and half domes of Hagia Sophia—one of the world’s most iconic architectural wonders—using lightweight modern materials. Lead coverings will be replaced and the steel framework upgraded, while the mosque remains open to worshippers throughout the process.
Mehmet Selim Okten, a construction engineer and academic at Mimar Sinan University, is part of the scientific council overseeing the project. He said the latest efforts mark the most comprehensive structural intervention in over 150 years.
“We have been carrying out intensive restoration efforts on Hagia Sophia and its surrounding structures for three years,” Okten said. “We are now focusing on the seismic safety of Hagia Sophia, especially in light of the expected Istanbul earthquake.”
In 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye, killing more than 53,000 people and causing widespread destruction. While Istanbul was not affected, the catastrophe renewed fears of a similar disaster striking the city, which lies near major fault lines.
A newly installed tower crane on the eastern facade of Hagia Sophia is set to expedite the restoration by transporting materials to higher sections of the structure.
Once the crane is operational, a protective frame system will be placed over the monument, allowing specialists to work safely while analyzing historical damage caused by fires and earlier quakes in the 10th and 14th centuries.
“This will allow us to academically examine the building’s layers while ensuring public safety,” Okten said.
Originally a church for 916 years, it was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed II during the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, serving as a mosque for 482 years. In 1935, it opened as a museum following a decree from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his cabinet.
However, in 2020, it was converted back into a mosque under the decision of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reopening for Muslim worship.
Though the mosque is now fully active for worship, Hagia Sophia continues to welcome millions of visitors annually as a treasured cultural and architectural landmark.
Okten emphasized that the entire restoration process will remain open to public scrutiny. “We plan to keep the process transparent. Although it’s not clear when we’ll finish, the public will be able to monitor our progress,” he said.
“We have completed our work on the four minarets and the main structure. Now, for this unique cultural heritage—the domes—we are using modern, lightweight materials to maintain accessibility for the public.”
Visitors to the site welcomed the latest initiative.
“Hagia Sophia is amazing; it’s one of the world’s most important monuments,” said Rupert Wegerif, a lecturer from Cambridge University.
“It seems really important that they are going to strengthen it in case of earthquakes and preserve it,” the lecturer added.
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