The iconic dome of Hagia Sophia, described as “hanging from the heavens” with its magnificent mosaics and unique architecture, envisioned by Anthemios to “rise as high as the glory of God,” is being dismantled as part of restoration works.

This marks a critical phase in the extensive conservation efforts initiated last year on the sacred monument, requiring the dome’s complete removal and disassembly.

Despite assurances from Turkish scientists and specialists that they will preserve the monument and its architecture, maintaining the mosaics intact and focusing solely on the dome’s exterior, an international UNESCO committee has long assumed a supervisory role in these restoration efforts, given the monument’s status as a World Heritage site. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s General Directorate of Foundations has expressed openness to collaboration with various committees, pledging to fully respect the “historical authenticity of the dome.”

Ahmet Gyulets, a member of the Turkish Ministry’s committee, stated that the reconstruction works, expected to begin in March, will employ “materials and techniques consistent with Ottoman-era construction to ensure the dome remains stable and true to its original character.” However, prior conservation efforts, focusing on the dome and later the surrounding semi-domes and lower areas, have proven insufficient, necessitating the dome’s disassembly.

These works are deemed essential for safety reasons. Their progress is also monitored by the Greek Ministry of Culture, which previously issued a statement emphasizing the monument’s global heritage significance when Hagia Sophia’s status was changed to a mosque. Minister Lina Mendoni had sent letters to UNESCO member state delegations, highlighting concerns over the Turkish government’s actions. It is well-documented that the conversion to a mosque exacerbated the structure’s deterioration, making this dismantling essential for safety.

The Beginning of the Restoration Need

The urgency of restoration emerged last November, when the Turkish newspaper Birgün published a video showing fragments of the dome falling into the interior of Hagia Sophia.

This followed a decade of UNESCO collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, establishing a scientific committee to oversee and contribute to the monument’s conservation. Previous restoration efforts included maintaining mosaics on the dome and the northern apse, which retained sections restored by Fossati. However, extensive damage to the dome made its disassembly inevitable. Repairs are anticipated to begin in March or April, following the scientific committee’s project approval. Experts warn that the dome risks collapse in a major earthquake.

A Digital Twin of Hagia Sophia

To ensure precise reconstruction, even in the event of an earthquake-induced collapse, the committee created an exact digital replica of Hagia Sophia. Utilizing advanced scanning technologies, similar to those used for Notre-Dame in Paris, this digital twin analyzes every crack and the condition of the mosaics. Contributions to these studies include work by Greek researchers.

A Historical Overview

Hagia Sophia was built at the site chosen by Constantine the Great and inaugurated in 360. After being destroyed by fire in 404, it was rebuilt but burned again during the Nika Revolt of 532. Emperor Justinian then commissioned its final construction, overseeing its completion and inaugurating it in 537.

The iconic dome, however, did not withstand earthquakes and required reconstruction multiple times, with repairs, such as those in 1346, remaining faithful to Isidore’s original design. The last major restoration was undertaken by the renowned Fossati brothers in 1847.