During the restoration of the Hagia Sophia, the minaret was demolished

One of the four minarets built by the Ottomans in the corners of Hagia Sophia is significantly damaged, so the decision has been made to dismantle it.

Information provided by Turkish media from the General Directorate of Institutions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism states that restoration work at the second stage in Hagia Sophia began on October 6, 2023.

The restoration project includes work on areas such as the façade and minaret, which make up the exterior of the building. Firstly, the perimeter was closed for work, and secondly, the construction of the steel platform of the minaret was completed in accordance with the approved project for the dismantling of the Beyazit minaret.

Temporary steel scaffolding was erected around the minaret as a precaution to protect visitors and workers during the restoration process. Dr Dyker, a member of the Scientific Committee for the Restoration of Hagia Sophia, explained that this intervention aims to prevent any potential movement of materials that could jeopardize the safety of visitors. In the discussion of the scientific committee on February 23, it was decided, for safety reasons, to cover the finished scaffolding of the minaret with a mesh with a gap of 1.5 cm.

The minaret was dismantled in accordance with the decisions of the scientific council of Hagia Sophia and the regional council for nature conservation. As part of the approved construction activities, the strengthening and necessary masonry work of the minaret will be carried out. After dismantling the minaret, the damaged lead covering and the old felt underneath were removed.

To assess the condition, a place was cleared, which had become saturated with water and had decayed. According to the data obtained, there is an 18-meter single support and 16 supports supporting it, about 11 meters long.

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