The great danger awaiting Hagia Sophia... A piece of concrete fell from its dome!
Footage has emerged showing a piece of concrete falling to the floor inside Hagia Sophia, one of the world's most important monuments. It had previously been revealed that historical pieces were being chipped off and taken from its doors. Experts have issued an urgent call for restoration.
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Footage has emerged showing pieces of concrete falling from the dome of Hagia Sophia.
According to a report by İsmail Arı from BirGün; security camera footage, reported to be from September 2022, shows two separate pieces falling from the dome of Hagia Sophia into an area where visitors were sitting.
Officials have raised allegations that “pieces are falling from the roof due to the humidity created by the crowds, but no precautions are being taken.”
"IF IT IS NOT RESTORED, THE DOME COULD COLLAPSE"
Commenting on the issue, Şerif Yaşar, Chairman of the Board of the Art History Association (STD), emphasized that Hagia Sophia must be restored as soon as possible and stated the following:
"If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse in the first earthquake. When Hagia Sophia was a museum, that is, before it became a mosque, there was a scientific committee. In its final meeting before being dissolved, the committee stated, ‘Hagia Sophia is now 1,500 years old and if it is not restored immediately, it will be damaged in an earthquake. Groups of 25 people should be allowed into Hagia Sophia.’ Even the breathing of hundreds of people in Hagia Sophia at the same time shortens the life of the historical structure. The scientific committee also said, ‘Restore this place for a while.’ At that time, Hagia Sophia was the museum that generated the most revenue, and the administrators of the period said, ‘This is a goose that lays golden eggs. How can we close it?’ Now, thousands of people are here every day, and this is very dangerous. Pieces are falling, and this is known. If it is not restored urgently, the dome could collapse on people's heads. The pieces are falling right from the connection points. The dome must be restored as soon as possible, and Hagia Sophia should remain closed for a while. It is also said that there are major problems on the upper floor of Hagia Sophia. Visitors cannot enter; they only take special guests to the upper floor."
THE LAST MAJOR RESTORATION WAS DONE BY MIMAR SINAN
Explaining that Hagia Sophia is older than commonly known, Yaşar said, “The columns carrying the main dome of Hagia Sophia are older than 1,500 years. These columns were brought from many ancient cities. The last major and comprehensive restoration was carried out by Mimar Sinan about 500 years ago. Unfortunately, if things continue this way, pieces will continue to fall from the dome of Hagia Sophia. And if the expected Istanbul earthquake occurs, it will collapse on us,” he said.