Hagia Sophia renovates to withstand future earthquakes
In Istanbul, the renovation of Hagia Sophia is currently underway, aiming to bolster its structure against earthquakes. The work includes securing the central dome and semi-domes.
Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul's most notable landmarks, is in the midst of another phase of renovation. The project aims to reinforce the historic central dome and semi-domes to protect them from potential earthquakes.
In 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey, claiming the lives of more than 53,000 people and causing significant damage to numerous buildings. Although Istanbul was not affected, concerns about future disasters in the region have increased. Mehmet Selim Okten, a civil engineer and a member of the scientific council managing the renovation, highlights that the initiative has been ongoing for three years and is currently focused on safeguarding the monument from earthquake effects.
— A tower crane will be installed on the eastern facade, and then we will cover the top of this unique structure with a protective frame system. That way, we can work more safely and examine the building’s layers academically, including damage it suffered from fires and earthquakes in the 10th and 14th centuries — said Okten, quoted by the ABC News.
Engineer Okten noted that the exact completion date of the project is still unknown, but he assured that the renovation will be conducted transparently.
The history of Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia, known as the Basilica of Holy Wisdom, was commissioned by Emperor Justinian the Great and completed in 537 AD. For 900 years, it stood as the world's largest Christian cathedral. This changed in the 15th century.
After the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453, the building was converted into a mosque, and its decor was altered with the addition of minarets. Following the decline of the Ottoman Empire, in 1934, Hagia Sophia became a museum, and in 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque.
