Ancient tunnels beneath famous Hagia Sophia explored after 3,000 tons of debris cleared

Archaeologists have removed roughly 3,000 tons of debris from a centuries-old network of underground tunnels beneath Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia — revealing previously inaccessible passages beneath one of the world's most historic religious landmarks.The findings were announced by archaeologist Hasan Fırat Diker at a presentation this fall in Istanbul, as local outlet Türkiye Today reported. The tunnels have been undergoing excavation and clearing work since February 2025, allowing researchers to explore sections that were previously buried beneath mud and debris.NOAH'S ARK SITE YIELDS FIRST LOOK AT CHARRED WOOD FRAGMENTS RECOVERED DEEP BELOW SOIL During the Oct.16 presentation, Diker said the roughly 1,600-year-old tunnels were built by the Romans and originally functioned as part of the city's water distribution and drainage network, while also providing a protected underground space.Some of the underground structures predate the present-day Hagia Sophia, which was completed in 537 A.D.

under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.Archaeologists have removed roughly 3,000 tons of debris from ancient tunnels beneath Istanbul's Hagia Sophia (seen here during a 2022 excavation), revealing previously inaccessible passages.(Isa Terli/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Although the underground network has been known for decades, much of it has remained difficult to access, and the ongoing excavation work is allowing researchers to examine previously buried sections of the historic site.Diker's research has shed new light on the intricate network, which he compared to a modern subway system, Türkiye Today said.'DIG OF THE CENTURY' BENEATH NOTRE DAME REVEALS MYSTERIOUS MARKINGS, ANCIENT SECRETSThe tunnels were designed to carry rainwater from surrounding streets into the sea, according to Diker.Researchers have cleared nearly 558 feet of an underground route connected to a fifth-century Roman street, which extends from the Sarayburnu area toward Little Hagia Sophia, Diker...