The Mosque of St. Sophia, built under Justinian in the
first half of the sixth century, and the grandest extant specimen of Byzantine architecture, is threatened with collapse. Two years ago bands of glass and cement were plastered over the cracks in the interior by Mr. T. G. Jackson, R.A., and Sir Francis Fox, but these have snapped in consequence of the recent earthquake, and in view of the exceptional flatness of the dome and the greater lateral thrust this fresh movement in the supporting walls is a very serious symptom. St. Sophia, once a Christian Church, is one of the great monuments of the world, and we sincerely hope that immediate steps will be taken to strengthen the walls. Sir Francis Fox's wonderful success in underpinning Winchester Cathedral naturally suggests his re-employment by the Turkish Government.
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