In Diyarbakır, southeastern Turkey, a restoration phase of the 1,600-year-old Church of Saint George has been completed with the installation of a glass dome, reports Hurriyet Daily News.

The dome, missing for nearly 100 years, is made of polycarbonate material, has a circumference of 40 meters, and a diameter of 14 meters. It was designed not only to protect the building from rain and snow but also to preserve the visual connection with the sky, a feature deeply ingrained in the experience of the church's visitors.

The Church of Saint George, located in the historic Sur district of Diyarbakır, was built in the late Roman or early Byzantine period. In modern times, it has been used as an art gallery and concert hall. In 2020, the church was restored and reopened to visitors, but recent earthquakes caused further damage, leading to a new restoration phase starting in July 2023.

The church's original dome was destroyed in the 1930s, and the building remained uncovered until now. The new dome is a significant part of the restoration work, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.