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

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ancient-tunnels-beneath-famous-hagia-sophia-explored-after-3000-tons-of-debris-cleared/
- Published: 2026-11-13T13:00:59+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T13:24:24+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/travel/ancient-tunnels-beneath-famous-hagia-sophia-explored-after-3000-tons-debris-cleared
- Topics: World

## Key points

- About 3,000 tons of debris have been cleared from tunnels beneath Hagia Sophia.
- The Roman-era network served water distribution and drainage.
- Researchers hope to open more sections to visitors.

## Summary

Archaeologists have removed about 3,000 tons of debris from Roman-era tunnels beneath Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, allowing them to explore passages that had been buried and difficult to reach. The work is revealing how the underground network supported the historic site and the surrounding city.

Archaeologist Hasan Fırat Diker said the roughly 1,600-year-old tunnels helped distribute water and drain rainwater towards the sea, and also provided protected underground space. Researchers have cleared nearly 558 feet of a route linked to a fifth-century Roman street, as well as sections of a burial complex discovered in 1946. They hope to open more areas to visitors and create an exhibition of the archaeological remains.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.