The wooden constructions of the dome in the tower were completed, and the dome image was recreated in accordance with its original form. The coating and finishing phase has begun.
İstanbul
In the Maiden's Tower, whose construction dates back to 410 BC, the works started by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism last year under the guidance of the international restoration principles and the established scientific committee continue.
The restoration of the historical building will be completed after the wooden dome, is rebuilt and replaced.
The Maiden's Tower restoration advisory board includes Prof. Dr. Feridun Çılı, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ahunbay and Architect Han Tümertekin. In addition, the expertise of Istanbul Technical University and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University are also used in the studies.
Repairs in the history of the Maiden's Tower
The Maiden's Tower in history was first fortified by Fatih Sultan Mehmet after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. The Maiden's Tower was damaged in the earthquake in 1509, known as the "little apocalypse", and its repair was carried out during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim. After the earthquake in 1690, the tower was repaired.
The lighthouse was built in the tower in 1721. The wooden structure burned in the fire that broke out after the oil lamp in the lantern ignited with the effect of the wind. In 1725, the chief architect of the city, Damat İbrahim Pasha, carried out an extensive repair.
The tower, which went through various maintenance and restorations between 1774-1776 and 1779-1803, underwent its biggest repair in the Ottoman period, II. Mahmud performed it in 1832-1833. In 1920-1932, an automatic light system was introduced in the tower.
The tower was renovated during the World War II. The rotting wooden parts of the tower were repaired. Some sections have been converted to reinforced concrete. In 1943, large boulders were added around the tower to prevent the tower from slipping. In 1965, the cistern in the building was closed to reinforced concrete castings after renovations.
In the years 1999-2000, all the additions made in the tower with the 1944 repair were dismantled. After this dismantling, some of the architectural features of the building, which had been closed for years, were revealed. After the Marmara earthquake, the tower was reinforced with a steel belt.
Finally, in the works carried out by the Ministry, unsuitable materials such as cement, concrete and rebar used according to different static calculations are purified in the tower, where wood is used as the original material in its construction.
It will regain its appearance in the late 18th century
The tower, which had a different appearance in different centuries, will regain its state in the late 18th century, the date on which the most information and documents are found, after the restoration works.
In addition, the gaps caused by faulty static loadings in the tower will be filled with an injection system and the structure will be made earthquake resistant again.
The beauties of Istanbul can be observed from the panorama at the Maiden's Tower, where the museum card will be valid after the opening.
All restoration works, reports and the history of the tower, together with the documents, can be viewed at "www.kizkulesi.com"
Latest situation in restoration
Finally, the wooden construction of the dome was completed in the tower, and the appearance of the dome was revealed again in accordance with its original form. The coating and finishing phase has begun.
Strengthening works on the historical masonry walls have been completed. Scaffolding is being dismantled on the castle walls that have been manufactured.
In addition to the tower and castle restoration works in terms of the survival of the Maiden's Tower, arbitration works have started for the ground weaknesses that have emerged around the island, and ground reinforcement works continue.
Steel-reinforced concrete integrated piles are anchored to the bedrock at an average depth of 24 meters at the level of the island borders. Thus, the surrounding of the building is strengthened against possible jolts, ground slips and other possible hazards.
The fortification strengthening and other productions in the tower-fortress areas within the body of the island continue in coordination.
With today's technology, every opportunity is used to protect the structure, such as chemical analyzes, georadar imaging systems and laser scanners throughout the process.