More worrying developments emerged this week over the condition of the Hagia Sophia, the greatest of all Christian basilicas in the East, with a scientific committee established by the Turkish state announcing that a portion of the structure’s iconic dome will be “dismantled for restoration”, according to numerous reports by Turkish media.
The quintessence of late Eastern Roman or Byzantine architecture, the Hagia Sofia was reconverted into a mosque by the Islamist Erdogan government in July 2020, after its status as a secular museum was abruptly changed. The latter development caused an international outcry.
According to Prof. Ahmet Güleç, a member of the scientific committee for the restoration of the Hagia Sofia, “…the lower part of the dome is covered with mosaics, and it is very difficult to intervene statically from there. Therefore, interventions will be made from the upper part to ensure the dome is restored to a healthy state. The related studies and projects are almost complete. After approval, a protective roof is planned for the upper part of the dome. This will also be a significant undertaking. Calculations are currently being made. Thus, when we open the dome, applications can be carried out without being affected by environmental conditions such as rain, snow, and water. We expect this work to take place around March or April.”
