Hagia Sophia to undergo major restoration

The Hagia Sophia church in Istanbul will undergo extensive restoration to preserve its structural integrity, including the dismantling of its dome, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reports. Damage to the dome's lead cover and cement materials necessitates the project, said Ahmet Gulec, a member of the scientific committee.

The team plans to use Ottoman-era techniques and materials, though critics question their relevance to the monument's Byzantine origins.

Restoration is set to begin in spring, with a temporary roof erected to allow year-round work. The project includes repairs to the dome and other structural elements. Officials aim to keep Hagia Sophia accessible to both visitors and worshippers during the process, safeguarding its legacy as a symbol of Byzantine and Greek heritage.

Built in 537 A.D. by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia originally served...