Hagia Sophia fortification: A race against future quakes
In Istanbul, renovations on Hagia Sophia are underway, with the aim of strengthening its structure against earthquakes. The work includes securing the central dome and semi-domes.
Hagia Sophia, one of the most renowned buildings in Istanbul, is currently undergoing another phase of renovation. The objective of the work is to fortify the historic central dome and semi-domes to shield them from potential earthquakes.
In 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey, resulting in over 53,000 fatalities and the destruction of numerous buildings. Although Istanbul was not affected, concerns about future catastrophes in the region have increased. Mehmet Selim Okten, a civil engineer and a member of the scientific council overseeing the renovation, emphasises that the work has been ongoing for three years and currently focuses on safeguarding the monument from earthquakes.
— 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 work remains 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 was the largest Christian cathedral in the world. Everything changed in the 15th century.
After the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453, the temple was converted into a mosque, and its décor was altered by the addition of minarets. Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire, in 1934, Hagia Sophia became a museum, and in 2020, it was once again converted into a mosque.
