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# The Constantinopolitan Church of Hagia Sophia, now Istanbul's principal mosque of Ayasofya, which ceased to be a museum in 2020, is to undergo restoration
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/konstantinopolskii-khram-sviatoi-sofii-nyne-glavnaia-stambulskaia-mechet-aiia-sofiia-perestavshaia-byt-muzeem-v-2020-godu-podvergnetsia-restavratsii/
- Published: 2025-02-26T06:04:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T05:31:00.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Architecture, Faith, The East, Heritage

The roof of the church, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, will be dismantled. The specialists promise to employ methods and materials appropriate to the era of the Ottoman Empire.

Since the ceiling of Hagia Sophia is adorned with priceless Byzantine mosaics (parts of which are covered), restoration from inside the building is impossible. The work will therefore be conducted "above the dome", from the side of the roof. Dismantling and the subsequent restoration are expected to begin in March or April. For the duration of the work, a temporary protective structure will be erected over the building.

The mosque will remain open to visitors while the work proceeds: free of charge for worshippers, for a fee for tourists, with restricted zones and separate flows of visitors