Elements take toll on Hagia Sophia

Every crack, big or small, and every instance of wear and tear on the walls, dome or doors of Hagia Sophia - caused by time, seismic activity, or the crowds of tourists that flock inside - triggers immediate concern in Greece. The UNESCO World Heritage monument, with its rich history and changed status as a mosque for the past four years, holds a unique connection to Hellenism that dates back to its founding by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in AD 537 and endures to this day.

This enduring significance explains why news of planned interventions to restore damage to Hagia Sophia's glorious dome has sparked extensive discussions and speculation about the methods and processes Turkish authorities will employ.

"In Byzantine churches, when there is interior decoration, as in Hagia Sophia, the only feasible intervention is on the exterior surface - the dome's outer shell...