Hagia Sophia: Concern after photos showing heavy vehicles inside the monument

Images of a crane truck positioned inside Hagia Sophia have raised alarm, as photos show the vehicle standing on the floor of the monument, parked on temporary protective plates.

Restoration works are currently being carried out inside the monument, and the circulated photos have sparked questions about whether the fragile floor surface is adequately protected during the ongoing works.

The photos show high-tonnage trucks entering the interior of Hagia Sophia, including one vehicle located near the so-called Imperial Gate, the main ceremonial entrance of the monument.

The report, presented by Turkyie Today, prompted public debate, leading Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism to issue an official statement addressing the concerns. In an earlier comment, Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy had stressed that reinforcement works were progressing without hindering worship. He described Hagia Sophia as “1,486 years old,” noting that the central dome is entering “the broadest and most comprehensive restoration process in its history,” with the goal of increasing its seismic resistance. He also assured that the monument’s authentic character would be preserved with care.

In the photos, the floor appears to be covered with panels so that the vehicle’s rubber wheels are not placed directly on the historic surface. These panels are typically made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets, durable composite ground-protection systems, or temporary reinforced metal plates designed to act as an intermediate layer between the vehicle and the floor, Turkyie Today reports.
According to a restoration expert cited by the outlet, the system seen in the photos appears relatively simple. The panels do not seem to have notable thickness or interlocking mechanisms and may be prone to slipping. Some areas appear to remain uncovered, which means the load may not be evenly distributed underneath and around the vehicle.

The same expert notes that Hagia Sophia’s floor is not a single compact layer. Beneath the visible surface lie mosaics, original marble decorations, and in some places voids that resemble crypt-like cavities. Concentrated loads and vibrations on such a multilayered structure may stress the floor elements and, over time, deform or damage them.

What Turkey’s Ministry of Culture says

After the public debate, the General Directorate of Foundations issued a detailed statement presenting information about the protection methods used during restoration. Authorities emphasized that the project is conducted under the supervision of the Scientific Council and the Conservation Board.

According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture, before allowing vehicle entry, static load studies, soil classification, and bearing-capacity measurements were carried out. These determined that the floor can safely withstand up to 25 tons per square meter. For additional safety, a temporary platform capable of bearing 30 tons per square meter was constructed.

The announcement added that the heaviest vehicle planned for use weighs 45 tons, but when placed on the protective surface, the actual load transferred to the floor is only about 6 tons per square meter—well below the established safety limit.