24.11.2025 19:02
Professor Dr. Ahmet Güleç, a member of the Hagia Sophia Science Committee, made statements regarding the cranes that were seen during the strengthening and restoration works carried out at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Güleç noted that it became impossible to work with small cranes after a height of 25 meters, stating, "We had to bring the cranes inside."
Following the analysis and examinations conducted at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was determined that there is a need for reinforcement in the main dome of the historic mosque, and the implementation processes have begun under the supervision of the Scientific Committee. The dome, which is undergoing the most extensive and comprehensive restoration process in its history, will be made more resistant to earthquakes, and the original state of the structure will be meticulously preserved.
"SOME EQUIPMENT NEEDS TO ENTER FOR THE SCAFFOLDING TO BE SET UP" During the work, Ayasofya Scientific Committee Member Prof. Dr. Ahmet Güleç made a statement to the press regarding the vehicles seen inside the mosque, stating that they held the press conference to correct a misunderstanding that had arisen. He said, "You see the platform we have built inside Hagia Sophia. Some equipment needs to enter for the scaffolding to be set up. These are heavy scaffolds. If it were done here, it would have been more dangerous due to welding and similar processes. Therefore, they are prepared outside and brought here in blocks to be placed in their locations."
Güleç stated that they have been working with a small crane up to 20-25 meters so far, saying, "There have been no issues with these. But after 25 meters, we could no longer work with them, so we had to bring the cranes inside. We are currently at 27 meters. The platform we are on is capable of carrying these cranes. We discussed a lot in the scientific committee to prepare this. We considered how the cranes could enter and how we could facilitate their entry. As a final solution, we ensured the creation of this platform."
"WE HAD TO CARRY OUT THESE APPLICATIONS" Ahmet Güleç conveyed that there are marble floors at the bottom of the platform and provided the following information: "On top of that, we have a breathable fabric called geotextile. These are generally used in geology and places like roads. We use them a lot in excavations. On top of that, felt was placed, and approximately 10 centimeters of sand was spread on the felt. Then, plywood was placed on top of that. The platform you see made of wood was created on top of these plywoods. Finally, metal checker plates were placed on top to create a platform that can carry approximately 30 tons of load per square meter. Currently, the maximum load our crane can lift, meaning the maximum weight it can carry when taking any piece up, is around 6 tons. Therefore, it is one-fifth or one-sixth of its normal carrying capacity."
Güleç expressed that the work is a necessary application for the establishment of the legs and other supporting systems that will rise, stating, "It won't take long. Our friends will have the platform set up by the end of this year. They may even set up the upper covering. In other words, these legs will also serve as the supports for the temporary covering that our minister announced in April. Thus, we expect to start working in April, moving towards summer. When the lead covering of the dome is removed, it became essential to carry out these applications to ensure protection from external weather conditions."
"THE ENTRY OF CRANES IS WITHIN OUR KNOWLEDGE" Prof. Dr. Ahmet Güleç stated that they carried out this application to ensure that the structure does not get damaged during the reinforcement work, and noted: "Summer rains are very intense. As you can see today, there was a heavy rain. In such a case, if our dome gets wet from the outside, it will be very difficult to compensate for that. To prevent that, a temporary covering is being created. Thus, when the lead is removed, and as we mentioned in previous interviews, many debris and rubble have been used instead of being removed from the upper part of the dome. Therefore, the outer part of the dome is under a heavy load. The cleaning of those and making that area healthier, as well as the applications to strengthen it against the expected earthquake, will require a scaffolding and upper covering system to protect our dome."
The entry of these cranes is within our knowledge. As you can see, we have panels here. Similar details are indicated on the panels, though not in detail. That is, there is information about the purpose and method of setting up the scaffolding inside. Perhaps our friends will prepare a panel regarding these cranes as well. This way, it will be more informative. Our failure to convey this information to the press and the public is also a factor, but it would have been better if our friends had read these panels and then made such publications."
Güleç pointed out that the construction machinery will remain inside until the platforms are set up, stating, "They will finish their work by the end of the year and exit, but the platform on the ground will remain because there is also a time for dismantling. One importance of this is to protect the mosaics inside while doing the work outside. A walking platform will be created inside to intervene immediately in case of any issues with the mosaics. An elevator will be created on this leg you see here for going up and down. These are absolutely necessary applications for the work we will do outside the dome. That is why we are doing this."
REINFORCEMENT WORKS AT HAGIA SOPHIA According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the works initiated to transfer the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which has stood for approximately 15 centuries and has been destroyed three times and rebuilt, to future generations in the most accurate and solid way are being carried out under the management of the General Directorate of Foundations.
As part of the second phase of restoration works that began in 2023, the lead coverings on the exterior surface of the main dome are being renewed to ensure the earthquake safety of Hagia Sophia, while it was decided by the Scientific Committee and the Protection Board to temporarily cover the dome surface with a steel structure to prevent the building from being affected by seasonal conditions and to protect the mosaics on the interior surface from damage.
In this context, it was decided by the scientific committee to construct 4 main columns, 43.5 meters high, that would support the temporary steel structure without obstructing worship inside the mosque. When it was determined that the installation of the 43.5-meter-high system and the transportation of steel materials would require the use of construction machinery, it was decided to create an access route from the western side of the structure. In this scope, static calculations of potential fixed and moving loads, loading tests on the ground, soil class tests, and georadar scans were conducted.
After the assessments, the ground carrying capacity was calculated to be 25 tons per square meter, and a system with a carrying capacity of 30 tons per square meter was constructed for protection purposes. The vehicles to be used in the project were also determined accordingly. The weight of the largest vehicle planned for use in the works, which is 45 tons, was determined to be 6 tons per square meter. The specially prepared ground is capable of safely carrying the weight of the heaviest vehicle.
After approximately one year of preparatory work, projects were created, and applications began with the decisions of the Scientific Committee and the Protection Board. A steel platform supported by precast elements and wooden components was constructed across the entire ground from the entrance of the mosque's western courtyard to the entrance of the mosque's harim section, in accordance with static calculations. This ensured the protection of the marble floors and made the area suitable for vehicle access.
In the harim section of the mosque, the existing marble floor was documented as a priority, and the bedding mortar of the marble tiles was checked. Subsequently, georadar scanning and soil class testing were conducted in the interior. After the preliminary studies, a multi-layered temporary flooring system was constructed across the entire area where construction machinery would operate, ensuring both the distribution of the load and the protection of the marble tiles.
To prevent damage to the original marble floor of Hagia Sophia, a cover that allows steam passage, felt, sand, 18-millimeter plywood, a 10x10 centimeter wooden frame, XPS boards between the frames, soundproof mats on top of the frames, and a final layer of checker plate were applied to completely protect the floor. During the works, smoke-absorbing machines are also used to prevent the spread of exhaust fumes from construction machinery.