New images of the gradual wrecking of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul), have seen the light, causing a new furor. This time, the marble floors inside the historic structure were cracked due to the use of a cleaning machine.
With the headline: “Marbles were broken in Hagia Sophia”, the opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet dubs the incident an: “Endless martyrdom of Hagia Sophia”.
“The destruction continues in Hagia Sophia, which has been turned from a museum into a mosque” the report notes explaining that the historic marbles were broken in many places by the heavy machinery used to clean the marbles.
The X-ray machines at the entrance of the monument, which have not been operating since it was turned into a mosque, have been activated for two weeks. Officials continue to warn women who enter without a headscarf, as well as those who attempt to enter with indecent clothing. However, it seems that there is no concern for its effective protection.
As the article notes: “It is visible that the marbles that were already broken in some places and are on the imperial route at the exit door, have been broken in other places as well.”
Cumhuriyet notes that: “When Hagia Sophia was a museum, visits were made with great respect. At the moment, its interior looks like a festival”.
