The Hagia Sophia is an old, old church. This year, it turned 1,488 years old. That means it’s time to refresh and repair the huge, beautiful building in Istanbul, Turkey. (When the church was built, that city was called Constantinople.) Restorers have been working for three years. Now they focus on preserving the monument’s domes. They want to protect them from earthquakes.

Christians built the Hagia Sophia church in the year 537. Its name means “holy wisdom.” About 900 years later, Muslims turned it into a mosque.

In 2023, a large earthquake struck southern Turkey. It destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings. Tragically, more than 53,000 people died. The quake didn’t damage Istanbul. But people are concerned about a similar quake happening there. 

Experts say the city is near fault lines. Those are cracks in the Earth’s crust. When earthquakes happen, they are often along those cracks.

Officials say they will reinforce Hagia Sophia’s main dome and two half domes. Workers will replace the worn lead coverings on the roofs. They will upgrade the steel framework that holds up parts of the building. Tourists will still be able to visit. Muslims will still come for their worship. 

A tower crane on the eastern side of the building will help move materials. That will speed up renovations. 

Dr. Mehmet Selim Okten is a construction engineer. He helps oversee the work. “We will cover the top of this unique structure with a protective frame system,” he says. “That way, we can work more safely and examine the building’s layers.” He will look for evidence of damage from fires and earthquakes in the 10th and 14th centuries.

It’s a good thing restorers are already at work. An earthquake shook Istanbul on April 23. The Hagia Sophia stood firm. 

Why? Buildings like the Hagia Sophia can help us learn about history and remember the great presence of Christianity as it spread through the ancient world and into today.