He said, 'During the Ottoman period, the largest restoration was carried out during the time of Sultan Selim II by Mimar Sinan. Mimar Sinan extended the life of the monument to some extent by adding massive buttresses. Thanks to this, the monument has survived to this day. Now, after the comprehensive restoration carried out by the Fossati Brothers between 1848 and 1850, we are on the eve of the second comprehensive restoration in Hagia Sophia.'
Sarı, who stated that the restoration works continuing in the tombs of Sultan Selim II, Sultan Murad III, and Sultan Mehmet III in the mosque have also reached their final stages, provided the following information: 'There were significant material wear and tear in the tombs. They did not need a comprehensive restoration in terms of statics. The lead on the roof was damaged, and moisture occurred inside because the lead inside was damaged. After the moisture, some deterioration occurred in the decorations.
First, the leads of the domes were changed. Then, interventions were made to the inside and outside, doors, and wooden shutters. In addition, the restoration of the Sıbyan School and the Muvakkithane, which were built during the time of Mahmud I and are located in the monument, is currently ongoing simultaneously. These are in progress. The restoration of these will be completed in less than six months.'
İhsan Sarı touched upon the statement made by the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy during the restoration of Hagia Sophia, in which he stated that the minaret of Sultan Beyazit II would be removed and repaired.
Sarı stated that the body thickness of the minaret was removed 50 centimeters from each side in 1969, and the 10-centimeter inside part was removed and rebuilt every day, and there is information and documents about it.
He said, 'We have to re-evaluate them. Because cracks were seen in the cores in the lower parts of the minaret, right above the pabuç, as we call it. We believe that we need to make serious examinations in those areas to evaluate these cracks. This is the decision of our Science Board.
The final decision will be made with the approval of the Council of Monuments (Cultural Assets Protection Board). There may be a need to remove the part of the minaret to the mukarnas section, and it can be removed again.' Sarı stated that the Science Board, which was established for Hagia Sophia in 1991 and has nine members, holds a meeting every two weeks and said, 'There are still members from the 1991 board. Then some experts were assigned to the board. There are architects, art historians, material and static experts.
All interventions that may be related to the structural structure of the main building come entirely to the Science Board. After the substructure is established in the Science Board, restorations of this monument will begin with the approvals of the Council of Monuments (Cultural Assets Protection Board) within the framework of Law No. 2863, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism General Directorate of Foundations and the Istanbul Governorship.'
Sarı drew attention to a very important work before the restoration of the main structure of Hagia Sophia, saying, 'The digital twin of Hagia Sophia has been created. That is, the plans, appearances, and sections are about to be completed. As soon as these documents are created, the comprehensive restoration will begin. I think the restoration will also be a long process. During the restoration, necessary consultations will be made for every detail of Hagia Sophia. Are there any physical problems, these will be evaluated. As for the restoration of the main structure, the General Directorate of Foundations made a tender, and the handover has been completed now.'
Sarı emphasized that the Ministry and the Science Board did not have a view on closing Hagia Sophia to visits and prayers during the restoration process, and said, 'Therefore, we are obliged to make the restoration while it is open to visits. This is a monument. It is an invaluable work both for us and for the world, and we have the opportunity to restore it while it is open to both visits and prayers.'
Sarı, who stated that there are almost 20 large and small domes above the entire complex of Hagia Sophia, and most of these domes are exposed to rainwater, continued his words as follows: 'There are significant problems in the leads of the monument's domes. Because of these problems, the monument absorbs moisture. After the moisture, there may be some peeling in the decorations and mosaics.
We will quickly identify them. We will make the necessary interventions. Hagia Sophia Mosque is the second work converted after the conquest of Istanbul. The area of Hagia Sophia is 10,200 square meters, including the baptistery.
The area of its main structure is 9,800 square meters. The height of its dome from the ground is about 56 meters. The restoration of this monument will be a very long process. There are very comprehensive details. These will be evaluated one by one, and interventions will be made where necessary. All these interventions will be interventions that will ensure the healthy life of the building.'
