Hagia Sophia restoration album republished

Engravings showing the renovations of the Hagia Sophia Mosque by the Fossati brothers, who were appointed by Sultan Abdülmecid for the restoration, as well as its state before restoration, have been compiled into a book.

The Fossati brothers presented an album containing 25 engravings of the Hagia Sophia at that time as a gift to Abdülmecid. Demirören Publishing has republished the facsimile of the engravings gifted to Abdülmecid, titled "Hagia Sophia," in its original size. Researcher-author Erhan Altunay and archaeologist Murat Sav said that the book is a very important document in terms of the history of Hagia Sophia.

The Italian architect brothers Gaspare Fossati and Giuseppe Fossati were appointed by Sultan Abdülmecid in 1847 to restore the Hagia Sophia Mosque. During the restoration, the architect brothers made additions such as the Royal Entrance façade arrangement, the Sultan's Loge, the Imperial Pavilion and the Hagia Sophia Timekeeping Room.

After the restoration, an album consisting of drawings by Gaspare Fossati was published in London with the support of Abdülmecid. These engravings documenting the Fossati brothers' restoration provide important information and documents about the history of the Hagia Sophia Mosque.

The book, published by Demirören Publishing in two languages, French and Turkish, using the facsimile technique, is printed in large format, in a special box and with a personalized certificate. The book contains 25 engravings drawn by Gaspare Fossati. Authors and historians say that the book is a very important historical document because it provides the opportunity to compare the restorations of that period with today.

Altunay, speaking about Hagia Sophia Square, said: "This area once had...