ISTANBUL – ANSWER. Complaints about new damage to the Hagia Sophia are published in the Turkish media, and a Turkish archaeologist publishes relevant photographs from the Imperial Gate. Turkish archaeologists and historians speak of cracks in the floor of the monument and damage to its doors.

According to the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, the Hagia Sophia is currently visited by an estimated 1 million people a month, leaving it badly worn, especially from the day it was converted into a Muslim mosque. In particular, theologian Professor S. Filiz and art critic G. Saygili speak about cracks in the floor of the monument and damage to its doors, emphasizing that it was a mistake to remake it into a mosque. Mr. Saigili also shares photos of the new damage to the Imperial Gate of Hagia Sophia.

At the same time, Turkish media such as Sozcu and Cumhuriyet refer to damage to the door of Hagia Sophia, which was also mentioned in a social media post by archaeologist Ömer Faruk Yavastai.

After being converted into a mosque, it is visited by about 1 million people a month.

The titles of the respective publications are revealing: Sozku speaks of “an additional episode (deterioration) at the doors of Hagia Sophia” and “Cumhuriyet” claims that “the government is watching while the deterioration continues: another catastrophe in Hagia Sophia”.

Mr. Yavastai posted a related video on social media, in which he characteristically wrote: “Today I faced another very sad sight for Hagia Sophia and our History. Unfortunately, I again found damage on both sides of the gate, just below the mosaic of emperors. I took photos and videos to document this situation.”

The directorate of the foundations (holy foundations), to which Hagia Sophia now belongs, states that 160 cameras and 81 people are monitoring a specific area. At the same time, he notes that inside the Hagia Sophia mosque there are employees of the tourist police, as well as special forces, and emphasizes that “there is no gap in ensuring the security of the area.”