Chairman of the Hagia Sophia museum Haluk Dursun has announced that buildings around Hagia Sophia that are ugly and do not have any historical significance have been demolished.
Dursun said “Some buildings were erected urgently when we started serving as a museum at Hagia Sophia in 1935. These buildings are now old and visually uncomfortable”
Haluk Dursun went on to say “Permission was granted by the protection organisation of the buildings that served as public toilets and a secretarial. A new toilet has been built in the museum that does not obstruct the view of Hagia Sophia and that is modern. Demolishing the old buildings also opened up the view for the Hagia Sophia Baptistery and the newly opened tombs of 2. Selim and 3. Murat made by the famous architect known as Mimar Sinan. Also with the building demolished the link to the tombs from Hagia Sophia is now made.”
Hagia Sophia is a very important construction in Istanbul that bring in tens of thousands of tourists every year to the city.