Runic inscriptions in Hagia Sophia

The first runic inscription was discovered in 1964 on a parapet on the top floor of the southern gallery, and the discovery was published by Elisabeth Svärdström in "Runorna i Hagia Sofia", Fornvännen 65 (1970), 247–49.

The remainder of the inscription is considered to be illegible, but it is possible that it followed the common formula "NN carved these runes".

The archaeologist Mats G. Larsson discovered the runes anew in 1988 and published the find in "Nyfunna runor i Hagia Sofia", Fornvännen 84 (1989), 12–14.

The reading of Högberg and Indrelid is the man's name Árni and they consider the inscription to be pure graffiti, unlike Larsson.

There may be additional runic inscriptions waiting to be found on the walls and other parts of the Hagia Sophia.