We saw it back in 1988. Back then, it was being used as a mosque. The crosses, although covered up by paint, were still showing through. We got a chuckle over that. The large circles with the names of Allah were not there then. I guess they needed to cover the crosses more permanently.
I saw it in ‘89, and at that point they had begun restorations. There were scaffolds everywhere and mosaics were being uncovered and repaired. The discs were up so I never got to see the crosses in person but I have seen them online. But I can tell you those winged heavenly creatures just knocked me out. 500 years of Muslim desecration couldn’t hide the holiness that hovered throughout that place. It was just breathtaking. My sweet host family showed me a lot of Turkey and nothing else even came close.
It would be just like islamists to undo so much work that their country JUST DID.