The history of architectural restoration in Turkey: |from 1869 to the present times

Abstract

With the Tanzimat Period, efforts of approaching the West, not only in terms of economics but also in terms of cultural aspects, are observed. And as a result of this, the interest of Europeans in antiquities form the motivating force of the approach to preservation rather than the indigenous cultural data of the country and the role of these data within the indigenous life. During this period, the issue is defined in Western countries in administration, legal and operational terms. On the other hand, no such effort is seen on the part of Ottomans although they had the necessary potential -both quantitatively and qualitatively- because the architeoture was already preserved in life. Till the first legal provision was taken under the influence of Europe, the preservation of architecture was carried out through repair. In this framework the aim of repair was to maintain tne oontinuity of function. Such an aim implies the use of fashionable styles of the period in preservation. The activities that began by the second half of the 19th century, concerning the protection of antiquities and the foundation of museums did not lead the intellectuals in the field to take the necessary measures for the organization of restoration activities which was a necessary branch. As the smuggling of archaeological findings from the country was the most important issue of the period and all legal arrangements were attempts to prevent this smuggling, the conviction that "strangers would not take buildings along with them" might have become a reason for this. Besides, the fact that the preservation of architecture was already inherent in everyday life might have rendered speoial measures unnecessary. Considerations of loyalty to the original characteristics of the period and the tendency to keep the parts added in the course of history even if they do not fit the original oharacteristics; now guide the restoration activities. Architecture, which was "repaired" in the past to maintain the "continuity of function", is "restored" for the "continuity of culture and history" today; in a developing country like Turkey, keeping the characteristics of being a problem deprived of publicity.