İstanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque—an architectural masterpiece that has stood for nearly 1,500 years—is once again under the spotlight, this time for a virtuous pursuit. The crown of the structure, its vast central dome, is undergoing extensive restoration. As Türkiye continues its nationwide cultural conservation efforts, Hagia Sophia is an example of how modern restoration can embrace historic legacy.
Originally constructed in 537 AD under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia was built as the Church of Holy Wisdom and no sooner was it constructed than it became one of the most important religious sites in Christendom. Its massive dome—an engineering marvel of the time—signified the heavens above and inspired awe among all who entered. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II converted the basilica into a mosque, overlaying Christian frescoes with Islamic motifs and adding minarets to the complex. In 1935, it was secularised and turned into a museum under the Turkish Republic, before being reclassified as a mosque in 2020. Notwithstanding the shifting religious and cultural functions, Hagia Sophia has always asserted itself as a powerful emblem of perseverance, heterogeneity and artistic medley.
The current multi-year restoration plan works with an acute focus on reinforcing Hagia Sophia’s central dome with a close eye to seismic safety. All interventions are being conducted from the exterior to avoid disturbing the richly decorated interior mosaics. The dome’s lead cladding is being either restored or replaced, while a steel canopy will protect the structure from getting weather-beaten during the project. A unique steel platform, soaring 43.5 metres high and supported by four columns, will be installed inside to facilitate internal mosaic conservation without interrupting daily worship.
To ensure safety and precision, a 41-metre-tall tower crane with a 60-metre boom has been custom-designed for the site. Its careful placement allows for smooth operation without affecting the building’s delicate structure. Once the dome restoration is complete, the temporary platform and crane will be dismantled.
This restoration is a part of a broader conservation push at Hagia Sophia, which has already seen the restoration of structures such as the Tombs of Mehmet III, Selim II, and Murad III, the Primary School (Sıbyan Mektebi), in addition to the Timing Room (Muvakkithane). Notably, the gallery floor has been reopened after cleaning and repair. In the same scheme, the entire complex has been digitally documented to create a 3D twin of Hagia Sophia—ensuring its preservation not only in stone and mosaic but also in digital memory.
More than just a historical monument, Hagia Sophia stands as a living testimony to the long-running, diverse cultural and spiritual layers of Türkiye’s identity. Its masterful conflation of Byzantine and Ottoman motifs makes it a bridge between empires, faiths, and centuries. As the dome undergoes this meticulous restoration, it serves as a timely reminder that heritage, when protected with care, can continue to inspire and endure. Hagia Sophia stands not only as İstanbul’s architectural jewel but also as a universal symbol of resilience and renewal.
