Long awaited ancient palace and mosque back for good
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Daily News with wires
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 11, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - With the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce undertaking the restoration work of Yeni Cami Hünkar Kasrı five years ago, a team of five women architects was formed led by Hatice Karakaya and assigned to repair the structure. It opened its doors Monday as a museum
Five years after restoration work began on the 17th century Yeni Cami Hünkar Kasrı mosque, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was on hand Monday to reopen its doors to visitors.
The prime minister began his address by saying: "A nation who cannot hold onto its history and cultural heritage will not be able to create its own future."
Built in 1663 by Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan, the mother of the 19th Ottoman Sultan Mehmet IV, the mosque generally known as Hünkar Kasrı in Eminönü had been left to its own fate. Many of its historic tiles had been stolen from the neglected palace.
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, or İTO, took action to save the slowly perishing building, which is affiliated with the General Directorate of Foundations.
All-female team of architects
The restoration of Hünkar Kasrı, one of the most important pieces of classical Ottoman architecture, was assigned to an all-female team of architects led by Hatice Karakaya, charged with repairing the structure while maintaining the original features.
The İTO offered to turn the palace into a museum and save the rest of the existing structure. A collection of photographs documenting the transition of the restoration project has gone on display at the museum. The prime minister took time to peruse the collection during the opening ceremony.
"With the restoration, an important part of history has been saved," Erdoğan said. Noting that the structure had been neglected for a long time, he said Hünkar Kasrı was on the verge of losing its historic features. The project to restore the mosque’s historical identity ran to a budget of 8.5 million Turkish liras.
Erdoğan stated many of the tile panels had been stolen in December 2002 and January 2003, adding: "The stolen tiles were found at an auction in London while they were being sold," Erdoğan said. It was not, however, until 2007 that Turkey was able to recover the stolen tiles. Various parts of Hünkar Kasrı were also found in areas of Istanbul. The restoration work has been completed but more pieces will be added to the restoration if and when they are found.
"No matter what size and features historic artifacts have, they are all part of the heritage of this land and owned by the Turkish Republic. And we have to take care of history and protect it in the best way possible. This is everyone’s responsibility. Categorizing the importance of historic artifacts is to deny this heritage. As much as Topkapı Palace belongs to Turkey, Süleymaniye, Hagia Sophia, Yeni Mosque, Bağdat Palace, Hünkar Kasrı, Ephesus, The Virgin Mary’s House, Mount Nemrut and Zeugma also belong to Turkey. By protecting thousands of years of history and restoring it with today’s technology, we give future generations the chance to see the past and we want all the world to witness the charm of this land’s history," Erdoğan said.
Conscience generations
"For thousands of years the land hosted different cultures, beliefs and societies. They all left us something. We are responsible for protecting them," Erdoğan said. Calling on young generations, he said knowledge of history and a conscience to protect it should be passed on to future generations.
According to information provided by Erdoğan, between 1998 and 2002, 46 restorations were completed in Turkey. In 2002 and 2008 the number grew immensely, reaching 3,363. As the 2010 Istanbul European Capital of Culture draws nearer, restoration projects are gaining pace. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the General Directorate of Foundations, the İTO and other nongovernmental organizations are supporting projects for 2010.
With the help of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, or TİKA, the renovation of Turkish artifacts abroad is also being carried out.
TİKA is gearing up to operate in the Balkans, in several Arabic countries, Turkic Republics, the Caucasus and European countries, as well as in the United States. TİKA recently managed the renovation of Orhun Monuments in Mongolia and the 42-kilometer road surrounding the monuments.
Erdoğan said Yeni Cami was an original and charming structure. According to him this magnificence is part of Turkish culture. Thanking İTO for the restoration, Erdoğan asked İTO’s chairman to continue restorations in areas surrounding the mosque and the palace. "İTO accepted my offer. I hope once all restoration work is complete, the structure as a whole will look beautiful," Erdoğan said.
İTO’s Chairman Murat Yalçıntaş pointed out that Hünkar Kasrı had a 600-year history and highlighted the importance of artisans in the country. "It is one of the best examples of Ottoman workmanship. Tile works, wooden, nacre ornaments and many other items are on display in the historic area.
Erdoğan cut the ribbon at the ceremony accompanied by State Minister Hayati Yazıcı, Tourism and Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay, Minister of Industry and Trade Zafer Çağlayan and Yalçıntaş. The ceremony was attended by Istanbul Governor Muammer Güler and Mayor Kadir Topbaş and many representatives from nongovernmental organizations.
The prime minister began his address by saying: "A nation who cannot hold onto its history and cultural heritage will not be able to create its own future."
Built in 1663 by Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan, the mother of the 19th Ottoman Sultan Mehmet IV, the mosque generally known as Hünkar Kasrı in Eminönü had been left to its own fate. Many of its historic tiles had been stolen from the neglected palace.
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, or İTO, took action to save the slowly perishing building, which is affiliated with the General Directorate of Foundations.
All-female team of architects
The restoration of Hünkar Kasrı, one of the most important pieces of classical Ottoman architecture, was assigned to an all-female team of architects led by Hatice Karakaya, charged with repairing the structure while maintaining the original features.
The İTO offered to turn the palace into a museum and save the rest of the existing structure. A collection of photographs documenting the transition of the restoration project has gone on display at the museum. The prime minister took time to peruse the collection during the opening ceremony.
"With the restoration, an important part of history has been saved," Erdoğan said. Noting that the structure had been neglected for a long time, he said Hünkar Kasrı was on the verge of losing its historic features. The project to restore the mosque’s historical identity ran to a budget of 8.5 million Turkish liras.
Erdoğan stated many of the tile panels had been stolen in December 2002 and January 2003, adding: "The stolen tiles were found at an auction in London while they were being sold," Erdoğan said. It was not, however, until 2007 that Turkey was able to recover the stolen tiles. Various parts of Hünkar Kasrı were also found in areas of Istanbul. The restoration work has been completed but more pieces will be added to the restoration if and when they are found.
"No matter what size and features historic artifacts have, they are all part of the heritage of this land and owned by the Turkish Republic. And we have to take care of history and protect it in the best way possible. This is everyone’s responsibility. Categorizing the importance of historic artifacts is to deny this heritage. As much as Topkapı Palace belongs to Turkey, Süleymaniye, Hagia Sophia, Yeni Mosque, Bağdat Palace, Hünkar Kasrı, Ephesus, The Virgin Mary’s House, Mount Nemrut and Zeugma also belong to Turkey. By protecting thousands of years of history and restoring it with today’s technology, we give future generations the chance to see the past and we want all the world to witness the charm of this land’s history," Erdoğan said.
Conscience generations
"For thousands of years the land hosted different cultures, beliefs and societies. They all left us something. We are responsible for protecting them," Erdoğan said. Calling on young generations, he said knowledge of history and a conscience to protect it should be passed on to future generations.
According to information provided by Erdoğan, between 1998 and 2002, 46 restorations were completed in Turkey. In 2002 and 2008 the number grew immensely, reaching 3,363. As the 2010 Istanbul European Capital of Culture draws nearer, restoration projects are gaining pace. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the General Directorate of Foundations, the İTO and other nongovernmental organizations are supporting projects for 2010.
With the help of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, or TİKA, the renovation of Turkish artifacts abroad is also being carried out.
TİKA is gearing up to operate in the Balkans, in several Arabic countries, Turkic Republics, the Caucasus and European countries, as well as in the United States. TİKA recently managed the renovation of Orhun Monuments in Mongolia and the 42-kilometer road surrounding the monuments.
Erdoğan said Yeni Cami was an original and charming structure. According to him this magnificence is part of Turkish culture. Thanking İTO for the restoration, Erdoğan asked İTO’s chairman to continue restorations in areas surrounding the mosque and the palace. "İTO accepted my offer. I hope once all restoration work is complete, the structure as a whole will look beautiful," Erdoğan said.
İTO’s Chairman Murat Yalçıntaş pointed out that Hünkar Kasrı had a 600-year history and highlighted the importance of artisans in the country. "It is one of the best examples of Ottoman workmanship. Tile works, wooden, nacre ornaments and many other items are on display in the historic area.
Erdoğan cut the ribbon at the ceremony accompanied by State Minister Hayati Yazıcı, Tourism and Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay, Minister of Industry and Trade Zafer Çağlayan and Yalçıntaş. The ceremony was attended by Istanbul Governor Muammer Güler and Mayor Kadir Topbaş and many representatives from nongovernmental organizations.