Second phase of Hagia Sophia mosque restoration begins with new scaffolding

Comprehensive restoration works are underway at the Hagia Sophia Mosque. In the second phase of the restoration works, the facades of Hagia Sophia Mosque, the upper covering, and the Second Bayezid Minaret are in the focus of attention, according to Milliyet.

Cracks were detected in the historical minaret during the restoration works, as noted by Sabah.

"As a result of the previously prepared studies and static reports, a decision was made to dismantle up to the lower level of the balcony," explained construction engineer Keriman Dursun, reported by En Son Haber. "After discussions with our scientific committee professors and static modeling, it has become certain that the minaret will be completed by strengthening it, as neither the material nor the masonry technique allows for further dismantling," she added, according to Milliyet.

Safety measures are paramount during this restoration. "As a security measure, when the restoration process in the minaret is finished and our scaffold is removed, we will also remove the tunnel," Dursun stated, as per Haberler. The tunnel is located very close to the minaret and provides visitor access to the gallery floor.

"Along with this, structural movement will be measured very sensitively, and data will be received from the building through sensors to be placed in certain places. Measurements will be made at certain intervals, and data will be recorded," Dursun said.

A large scaffold was erected on the east facade of the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which faces the 3rd Ahmed Fountain, and scraping and joint opening processes are ongoing, as reported by En Son Haber. "We are doing scraping work here. We have started work to remove cement and low-quality plasters and joints," Dursun stated, according to Haberler.

Preserving the original elements of the structure is a key focus. "No original and qualified element was removed. They are being carefully preserved," Dursun emphasized, according to Yeni Akit.

The first phase of restoration works, which started last summer, has been completed, including restoration work in the tombs located in the courtyard, as per Haberler. After the tombs, the restoration of the primary school and timekeeper's room was also carried out. "A large part of our work is finished, and we have reached the final stage," Dursun noted, according to Milliyet.

"We aim to leave this 1,500-year-old heritage to future generations as a permanent legacy, and to do this solidly," Dursun concluded, according to Sabah.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq