Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Suffers Cracked Marble Floors In Cleaning Mishap

The Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul, was turned back into a mosque in 2020, after decades as a historical museum tourists flocked to. 

Unfortunately, reports have emerged that the building’s marble floors have suffered “tremendous damage” from heavy machinery used for cleaning. 

In fact, the state of the cultural site is so bad at the moment that Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet quoted a tour guide as saying it resembles “a fairground now,” and that visitors no longer treated it with the same respect as in the past. 

According to Artnet News, the recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was built by Emperor Justinian I, holds religious significance to Christians and Muslims worldwide. 

It was originally the largest cathedral in the world but was later converted into a mosque in 1453, before being turned into a museum in 1935. 

Since being reinstated as a place of worship, many inquiries have been raised about the preservation of the Hagia Sophia, with the floor damage not being the first concerning incident to have taken place recently.

As per ARTnews, earlier this year, a group who visited the site documented vandalism to the historic Imperial Gate at the location, with “deep gouges” seen in the wood surface. 

Art historians are calling for Department of Religious Affairs, who took over from the Department of Antiquities, to step up and protect the cultural landmark. 

Marie-Eve Lafontaine told Artnet News she hopes both “religious and non-religious” visitors will treat the architecture with respect, and that the government will ensure the site’s preservation. 

[via Artnet News and ARTnews, cover image via Artur Bogacki | Dreamstime.com]