One of the main aims of the work is to make the building better able to resist earthquakes. And one of the main challenges will be to carry out the renovation without interrupting worship at the mosque.
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s culture and tourism minister, said the dome’s exterior would be temporarily covered with steel to protect against the weather and shield the interior mosaics. Lead coatings would be removed and repaired.
A 43.5m-tall steel platform will be built across four columns to allow workers to access the dome.
The Hagia Sophia – Saint Sophia – was built as a Christian church by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I to a design by two of the best known architects of antiquity, Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus.
Over the centuries seismic activity has caused three partial collapses – the first occurring only 51 years after its completion in 537AD.
Subscribe here to get stories about construction around the world in your inbox three times a weekFurther Reading:
Turkey’s quake reconstruction could top $68bn: World Bank Russia to help build Hagia Sophia replica in Syria as “rebuke to Turkey” Foster-led team unveils masterplan for ancient Turkish city destroyed by quakesHagia Sophia to undergo most extensive refurbishment in 1,500 years Global Construction Review.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Hagia Sophia to undergo most extensive refurbishment in 1,500 years )
Also on site :