“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 ... was turned into a mosque with the 1453 Ottoman ...

This meant they could open up the spaces between the arches, creating windows, which made domes much, much lighter. The dome of the Mihrimah Mosque in Turkey is almost entirely pierced with windows.

It features Islamic design elements, including arches, vaulted ceilings, carved balconies One of the Grand Mosque's largest expansions, the project accommodates over two million worshippers.

People visit Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) ...