Hagia Sophia Implements AI Security System For Visitor Management

JAKARTA - Standing for 15 centuries and having been renovated three times in history, historic build as well as one of the popular tourist destinations in Turkey, Hagia Sophia is now integrating advanced technology to improve visitor experience, as well as protecting its sacredness and historical integrity with an AI-backed system (artificial intelligence).

Initially converted into a mosque after the conquest of Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum through the Council of Ministers in 1934.

After 86 years, the Hagia Sophia was reopened to worship as a mosque through the president on July 10, 2020. Since then, various efforts have been made to preserve its historical heritage and strengthen security through the use of modern technology and AI applications.

The Directorate General of Foundations, under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has implemented a series of measures to ensure local and international visitors feel safe and comfortable, while preventing damage to the physical structure of the mosque.

Levent Laughetin, deputy director of the first region of the Istanbul Foundation, said the Hagia Sophia reopened for worship five years ago and is currently backed by a team of about 300 personnel.

This team consists of security and hygiene staff, as well as coordinators who are dedicated to maintaining the comfort of visitors.

Badmin noted that a comprehensive visitor management plan has been implemented since January 15, 2020.

"We have opened the gallery floor for visitors by implementing physical security measures to protect architecture, mosaics, and other historic works of art," he told Anadolu Agency (AA), citing Daily Sabah July 24.

"With the visitor management system, we have separated entry and exit routes for those who come to worship and visit. Long queues at the entrance have now become the past," he continued.

Furthermore, Rubetin emphasized that it is now much easier to enter and leave the Great Hagia Sophia Mosque to worship, stressing that visitors can now explore mosaics and other parts in a more comfortable way.

He emphasized that the audio narration system in 23 languages had been installed in the mosque with the opening of the gallery floor on January 15, 2024.

"With this audio system, all of our worshipers can listen to information about mosaics at the Hagia Sophia and structural elements like libraries added during the Ottoman period and pulpits of permits in 23 different languages using their phone headphones or other headphones systems they can get from outside," he explained.

"Congregants can now listen to this explanation in their own language in a much more quality way, while our congregation who are praying can now pray much more comfortably and quality without disturbing the atmosphere of prayer," said Cetin.

They said they had received positive responses from the congregation about this adjustment and noted that with fewer worshipers, the mosque felt quieter.

"We have revised our security system and turned it into an AI-backed system. This system can provide warnings in various fields and provide support to personnel. By increasing the number of cameras and integrating AI support, this system is able to prevent potential security problems in mosques," he said.

"When a visitor tries to enter a closed mosque area for visitors, the system will automatically notify our related personnel's monitor screen that there is such a problem. We are increasing the response speed of our active personnel inside the mosque. This is significant support for our personnel working to protect the mosque structure," he explained.

They said the mosque's restoration work was continuing, noting they had completed the first stages of work on mosque comprehensive projects.

"In addition, we have completed the restoration of the tomb, smailbyan mektebi (the Ottoman-era elementary school), and muvakkithane (the Ottoman time-recording room) located in our mosque grounds. After completing various comprehensive projects, our Science Council also decided to deal with static issues, especially in the main dome and the side dome of our mosque," he explained.

"As a result of this decision, we have started working on domes and side domes. We have a project related to tower Bayezid II, which is almost complete. Our restoration work will continue in stages," concluded chetetin.