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Forbes
15-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Istanbul's Hagia Sophia Enters The Most Extensive Phase Of Its Multi-Year Restoration
Interior of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi), Istanbul Turkey Ask any tourist traveling to Istanbul for the first time what is number one on their must-visit list and there's a good chance they're going to tell you the Hagia Sophia. The nearly 1,500-year-old landmark sees more than 50,000 visitors every single day. The Hagia Sophia is one of the most celebrated religious landmarks in the world, having been first an Eastern Orthodox Church by Byzantine emperor Justinian I before being converted to a mosque by the Ottoman Empire, a museum by secularist Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and eventually reconverted back to a mosque in 2020. The architectural wonder features a blending of preserved Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy on display shoulder-to-shoulder, offering an unparalleled look at the layers of culture and spirituality within Türkiye. Mosaic From The Byzantine Era In The Hagia Sophia Of Istanbul, Turkey The UNESCO-listed heritage site is currently undergoing extensive preservation work, made even more urgent due to Istanbul's recent 6.2-magnitude earthquake. As of this spring, the Hagia Sophia has entered its most crucial phase of the multi-year restoration project, specifically focusing on reinforcing the 31-meter-wide dome. The main purpose of this specific part of the project is to strengthen the structure against potential future earthquakes while also preserving the original form and safeguarding the interior mosaics and architectural details. 'In the most terrifying scenario, an earthquake will shake the entire structure,' Hasan Firat Diker, architect and lead of the restoration told The Guardian. 'The main arch connecting the main dome and semi-domes could tremble and there might be cracks that occur.' Key restoration work includes reinforcement of the central dome using custom-engineered steel structures, which allows the restoration to continue without having to pause visitors or worshippers from visiting the mosque. The exterior coverings will also be dismantled, and repaired or replaced, while a 43.5-meter-tall interior scaffolding system will support the conservation of mosaics on the interior of the historic building. The entire Hagia Sophia has also been 3D-scanned in order to create a digital twin of the complex for longer-term historical preservation and further research. Undoubtedly one of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks, Hagia Sophia has stood as a place of worship since Roman times. Over the centuries, it has endured earthquakes and wars, including the Nika Revolts, leading to numerous restorations. Commissioned by Emperor Justinian I, the current architectural masterpiece reflects the grandeur of Byzantine design. Once transformed into a museum in the 20th century, it was reconverted into the city's grand mosque in 2020. Yet, its upper gallery remains open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the timeless splendor and excellence of its ancient heritage. This extensive restoration comes on the heels of other completed projects over the past few years, including the restoration of the Tombs of Mehmed III, Selim II, and Murad III. The project also included the reopening of the upper gallery to tourists; non-Muslim visitors can no longer enter the ground floor of the structure, which is now reserved for prayer.
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Turkish consulate celebrates Children's Day
The Turkish Consulate in collaboration with Pak-Turk Maarif Schools and Colleges organised a series of events in Karachi on the occasion of the National Sovereignty and Children's Day, and the 105th anniversary of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, said a statement on Saturday. Addressing the event, Turkish Consul General in Karachi, Cemal Sangu said that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkiye, decided to celebrate April 23 as a holiday in 1924, the only universal holiday dedicated to children. With UNESCO's declaration of 1979 as the "World Children's Year", this holiday is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement together with the children of the world, he added.
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Fox News
Ancient temple undergoes renovations to prevent earthquake damage
Many travelers to Istanbul, Turkey, may find themselves at one of the most beautiful sacred places in the world: the Hagia Sophia. The ancient temple attracts scores of visitors from the West. It's known for its history as a Christian basilica for almost 1,000 years before becoming a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. Officials are now working to preserve the historic domes of the monument — built between 532 and 537 AD — from the threat of earthquakes. The renovation will reinforce the Hagia Sophia's main dome and half domes, replacing the worn lead coverings and upgrading the steel framework, The Associated Press (AP) reported. In 1935, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, transformed Hagia Sophia into a museum. Mehmet Selim Okten, construction engineer and member of the scientific council overseeing the renovations, told AP a "new phase" of construction is about to begin. "At the end of these three years, we have focused on the seismic safety of Hagia Sophia, the minarets, the main dome and the main arches, especially due to the expected Istanbul earthquake," said Okten. The renovation comes after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey in 2023, destroying hundreds of buildings. Orkten said construction workers will be able to renovate more safely and "examine the building's layers academically, including damage it suffered from fires and earthquakes in the 10th and 14th centuries," according to AP. "A tower crane will be installed on the eastern facade, and then we will cover the top of this unique structure with a protective frame system," he said. The Hagia Sophia receives an average of around 50,000 visitors daily and approximately 6-7 million annually, according to Istanbul Deputy Akturkoglu.
Associated Press
14-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Sabancı Youth Mobilization Wins Prestigious Award at Davos
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND, April 14, 2025 / / -- The Sabancı Youth Mobilization, a groundbreaking initiative launched by Sabancı Holding to empower Türkiye's next generation, has been honored with an Award in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility/ESG category at the esteemed Davos Communication Awards. This recognition, from one of the world's most competitive communication award platforms, underscores the Mobilization's significant impact in a short period. Presented to Filiz Karagül Tüzün, President of Corporate Brand Management and Communication at Sabancı Holding, during a ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, the award distinguishes Sabancı Holding as the sole recipient from Türkiye among winners across 30 categories. 'This award validates our unwavering commitment to nurturing Türkiye's youth,' said Filiz Karagül Tüzün. 'The Sabancı Youth Mobilization embodies our belief in transforming 'brain drain' into 'brain power' by providing young people with the tools and support to become future leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. We are not just running a campaign; we are fueling a mobilization.' Rapid Impact and Expansion Inspired by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's vision, the Sabancı Youth Mobilization has swiftly established 10 Technology and Impact Centers across Türkiye, including an online platform, since its launch in May 2024. These centers offer vital mentorship, training, and project development opportunities in cutting-edge fields such as digital technologies, energy, climate, materials, and mobility solutions. In just 11 months, the initiative has garnered over 10,000 applications from ambitious individuals aged 18-34, spanning 79 provinces in Türkiye. Ambitious Future Goals Sabancı Holding aims to expand the Mobilization's reach to 34 cities and 35 universities in Türkiye, and establish at least two centers and two university partnerships internationally by the end of 2026. This strategic expansion targets impacting a minimum of 30,000 young people, solidifying Sabancı's role as a catalyst for youth empowerment and national progress. 'This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our CEO, Cenk Alper, our executive leadership, Sabancı Holding companies, and our passionate Sabancı Volunteers,' Tüzün added. 'We are united in our mission to empower the youth and shape a brighter future for Türkiye.' About Sabancı Holding: Sabancı Holding, Türkiye's leading investment holding company, operates across diverse sectors including banking and financial services, energy and climate technologies, mobility solutions, material technologies, and digital technologies. The company is dedicated to driving sustainable growth and innovation across its portfolio. For more information, please visit: Yeliz Kazan Sabancı Holding email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
