The Imperial Door of Hagia Sophia, which is said to be made from the woods of Noah’s Ark in Eastern Roman sources, was smashed by unidentified people.
The Board of the Art History Association said in a statement on their social media account that they determined that the Imperial Door of Hagia Sophia was damaged. The association announced that they will make separate complaints both to identify those who damaged the historical gate and to dismiss the security manager.
In a statement, the association stated that on April 18, 2022, around 8:45 pm, they photographed the historical door and wanted those responsible to be found. Stating that they talked to the security director, the association said that the director said, “There is nothing to exaggerate, it will be repaired”.
After it was exposed that the door was damaged, it was stated on social media that the historical structure was destroyed during the overcrowding and in addition, the barriers leaning the historical door also damaged.
The General Directorate of Foundations announced that an investigation has been initiated regarding the destruction of the historical ‘Imperial Door’ of Hagia Sophia.
In the statement made by the General Directorate of Foundations, it was stated that “two administrative and technical inspectors were assigned to carry out an investigation into the destruction of the Imperial Door of Hagia Sophia.”
The door, which is called the Imperial Door because it was used only by the Imperial and his nature, provides the transition from the inner narthex to the main space in Hagia Sophia. The largest door of Hagia Sophia is made of oak wood, 7 meters high and has a bronze frame. The wings of the gate, which date back to the 6th century, are covered with bronze plates. In Eastern Roman sources, it is said to have been made from the woods of Noah’s Ark.
