مسجد، متحف، ثم مسجد

Gradual Covering & Preservation:

Rather than destroying the figural mosaics, Ottoman authorities gradually covered them over the course of centuries with protective layers of plaster and decorative whitewash or stenciled designs. During the major 1847– 1849 restoration under Sultan Abdülmecid I, architects uncovered, cleaned, and documented these hidden works before re-plastering them.

20th Century Uncovering and Museum Status:

The systematic restoration and uncovering of the hidden mosaics began in 1931 to convert the building into a museum in 1934, officially opening its doors to the public in 1935.

Now: Apse Mosaic (Virgin Mary and Child): Covered by automated textile curtains or drapes. These curtains are closed during Islamic prayer times to align with iconographic requirements in Muslim worship spaces.