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Restoration work at Hagia Sophia has entered a new phase, with a steel platform set to be installed to reinforce the building's eastern semi-dome, the next stage of an ongoing project.
Architect Hasan Firat Diker, who is on the project's Science Committee, told reporters that the eastern semi-dome of Hagia Sophia is the weakest part of the structure. He said it is the area most at risk of collapsing first in an earthquake.
"We will continue this process at the eastern semi-dome and observe the necessary interventions. We will strengthen the disc connecting the eastern semi-dome and the main dome," Diker said.
Diker called this the most important stage of the restoration. He explained that four large arches support the main dome, and the most delicate one links the eastern semi-dome to the main dome.
He said the restoration will take place both inside and above the structure, along with work on the roof.
Diker said work on the eastern semi-dome will not interrupt worship or visits, as scaffolding will be set up inside. He also said the scaffolding will be small, and the outside of the main dome is already fully covered.
Diker said that Hagia Sophia has not seen a restoration of this size during the Republic era. Earlier repairs were only regional.
The new project will fix structural problems and restore original decorations, with most work planned to finish next year. He asked worshippers and visitors to be patient during the restoration.
Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that Science Committee members have shared their assessments of the strengthening, restoration, and conservation work happening at the site.
Civil engineer Mehmet Selim Okten, also on the Science Committee, said modeling and analysis showed the main dome and its semi-domes need to be strengthened together.
He explained that the scaffolding system was designed for safety, and a dome covered with a protective membrane has been installed.
Art historian Asnu Bilban Yalcin, another Science Committee member, said the 1500-year-old building has had structural problems since it was built and was repaired during both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
She said the current restoration uses modern technology to strengthen the building and is the first full effort to reinforce the dome, semi-domes, and exedrae.
Yalcin added that scaffolding inside and outside will help uncover parts of the structure that are still unknown.
Materials scientist Ahmet Gulec said the platform and scaffolding used to protect the dome during the work also help preserve the mosaics and the central inscription inside.
He said additional scaffolding has made it possible to reach the entire interior surface of the dome, where cleaning and protection of the mosaics has begun.
Gulec explained that after the lead covering on the main dome is removed, teams will take and study mortar and plaster samples to identify the materials used in past conservation, as they did on the building's facades.
Architect Can Sakir Binan said that work at Hagia Sophia must follow key preservation principles because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He explained that the aim is to preserve the building's authenticity and integrity, including all its historical layers and original materials, rather than restoring it to a single period.
Binan said that any changes should be based on scientific research and documentation, kept as minimal as possible, and not favor one historical layer over another.
Türkiye's General Directorate of Foundations under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is carrying out the restoration, based on decisions and oversight from the Science Committee and a preservation board.
Teams continue conserving mosaics on a steel platform around the main dome. They have been cleaning dust and using temporary cloth supports on the mosaic surfaces, a process called facing.
A temporary steel roof has been finished above the main dome, and the lead covering is being carefully removed.
Modeling and analysis showed that the eastern semi-dome needs extra support. While the structural work is done, teams will also conserve the mosaics and pen-work decoration inside the semi-dome, and clean and repair the marble surfaces on the mihrab wall on the east side of the building.
A steel platform will be built to give safe access to the inside of the eastern semi-dome so the work can continue.
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