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Great interest in Topkapi Palace after the restorations

Fatih Mansion, Seferli Koğuşu and Hazine Koğuşu, which have been closed since 2014 in Topkapi Palace, were reopened to visitors, the Sacred Relics Department was renewed and the number of works exhibited in the apartment was increased to 5 times, and Mecidiye Mansion met with visitors for the first time in its history after 165 years. After the restorations, great interest was shown in Topkapı Palace during the Ramadan Making a statement to the Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter regarding the restoration works completed in the Enderun Courtyard of the palace, President of National Palaces Dr Yasin Yıldız said that the restoration processes of Fatih Mansion, Seferli Koğuşu, Hazine Koğuşu and Sacred Relics Department have been going on for many years, and since 2019, these works have been undertaken by the Presidency of National Palaces. The number of exhibited works increased to 3,500 Yıldız stated that important works were carried out on static problems, especially earthquakes, within the scope of the restoration, and said, "The concrete load of 1500 tons in the domes of Fatih Mansion was taken and the roof was returned to its original form. Significant strengthening works were also carried out on the foundations of the building, as well as on the ground level. As you can see from the walls of the building, we have strengthened the structure with steel in some parts." Emphasizing that there are currently no static problems in Fatih Mansion, Seferli Koğuşu, Hazine Koğuşu and Sacred Relics Department, Yıldız continued as follows: “This is an extremely pleasing situation for us. However, these places also have a museum function. We have brought together about 2 thousand pieces of historical artifacts with the visitors in the works we have done in order to operate as a museum. This is a valuable data. Because before that, the total number of movable historical artifacts that could be visited in Topkapı Palace was 1200. At the moment, we have reached the number of 3 thousand 500. All of the registered works in the collection of the Department of Sacred Relics can be seen Yasin Yıldız pointed out that the Mecidiye Mansion, the only 19th century building in the palace, also met with visitors for the first time in 165 years and said; "It is important that the letters of our Lord, which we call Name-i Saadet, and the Hırka-i Saadet, which could not be visited before, are there in the Sacred Relics Department. In addition, many works such as the Qur'an, which was dedicated to Hz. Osman, and the sheriff with the beard, were opened to visitors. We can now happily state that all of the works registered in the collection of the Department of Sacred Relics can be seen. We also furnished 1100 pieces of movable historical artifacts in the Treasury Office and brought them together with the visitors. Among them, of course, we have brought together a wide selection of the personal works of the sultans and the works registered in the Ottoman treasury, as well as the works that are well known to the visitors, such as the cülus throne, the Topkapı dagger, and the Spoonmaker's Diamond. Pointing out that the visitors showed great interest in the palace during the Ramadan Feast after the opening of the new sections of the palace, which was held with the participation of President Erdoğan on the eve of the Ramadan, Yıldız said, "About 60 thousand people visited this place in 3 days starting from the first day of the feast. This is normally the number of visitors for the period of July-August. But we have achieved this figure as of the end of April, with these venues being on the agenda." An additional 2 thousand 150 square meters has been added to the areas that can be visited in Topkapı Palace Collaborative work was carried out with international museum curators in the buildings in the palace, whose restoration was completed, concepts that combine tradition and the future were created, and exhibition layouts were established in accordance with this theme. Fatih Mansion, Seferli Koğuşu and Hazine Koğuşu in the Enderun Courtyard, and Mecidiye Mansion in the 4th courtyard were modernized with security, air conditioning, display systems and display equipment. With the opening of these areas, 2 thousand 150 square meters have been added to the area. The number of works exhibited increased from 290 to 1979. The Sacred Relics Department, where the priceless collection of Topkapi Palace is exhibited, was reorganized after 16 years. The number of works increased from 60 to 300. A policy was also signed within the scope of the regulation. Visitors will now be able to step into the Hırka-i Saadet Room (Has Room) for the first time, where the cardigan that the Prophet gifted to Ka'b Züheyr is kept. The dome of the Has Room, the Hırka-i Saadet enclosure protected in silver mesh, and the 79 square meter carpet specially woven for the room in Hereke will also be visible. Among the artifacts exhibited for the first time in the Department of Sacred Relics are the Mushaf of Hz Osman, the piece of the Kaaba pillar, the Kaaba's key, locks and cutters, the silver-handled brush used for cleaning the holy relics, the dustpan and the notebooks containing the lists of the Holy Relics from the Ottoman period. Fatih Mansion opened to visitors after 9 years The Fatih Mansion, which came to the fore with the slippage on the slope of the Topkapi Palace facing Sarayburnu and the cracks detected in the structure, was reopened to visitors with a unique work that will set an example for the restoration culture. The concrete added to the domes of the Mansion in the 1940s was removed. The sliding on the ground has been stopped. A retaining wall was built around the mansion. Instrumental observation devices that monitor possible seismic movements for 24 hours were placed in the area. After the restoration, the Fatih Mansion was transformed into a gallery where the Ottoman treasury was exhibited. In the Fatih Mansion, which consists of four sections, 1150 works of the Ottoman treasury are on display. In the first hall, there are the items used by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Yavuz Sultan Selim and Suleiman the Magnificent, and the Spoonmaker's Diamond, the most precious part of the treasury. In the 2nd hall, there are artifacts such as the golden ceremonial throne, the sultan's crest, ceremonial armor and flask, and ceremonial weapons, representing state ceremonies and symbols of the reign. In the 3rd hall, insignia and gifts showing diplomatic relations such as the Nadir Shah Throne can be seen. In the last hall, there are religious-themed works emphasizing the sultan's caliph identity. Most of these works are Medina Relics. The most attention-grabbing relics are the two solid gold candlesticks sent to the Prophet's grave. Gold candlesticks and other artifacts were preserved in warehouses with modern storage conditions during the restoration of the structure. Seferli Koğuşu was transformed into Elbise-i Hümayun gallery During the Ottoman period, the Seferli Ward, which belonged to the boys who were responsible for washing the sultan's clothes during war or expedition, was transformed into a gallery describing the fabric and clothing wealth of the dynasty. 275 works are on display at the Dress-i Hümayun Gallery. On the lower floor, there are the sultan's clothes from the period from Fatih Sultan Mehmet to Sultan Abdülmecid, and on the upper floor, there are clothes and accessories belonging to the princes and sultans. The ceremonial caftans and talismanic shirts, which meet the visitors for the first time, are among the most attention-grabbing works of the exhibition. 300 calligraphy works are on display in the Hazine Koğuşu The Hazine Koğuşu, where the inner treasury and jewelery guards and craftsmen called "ehl-i hiref" were trained in the Ottoman period, was opened to visitors as the Hüsn-i Tat Gallery after 9 years. There are 254 rare works selected from the National Palaces collection in the gallery. The Qur'an, which belongs to the 3rd century Hijri, stands out among the works exhibited for the first time in the two-storey gallery, which was arranged in accordance with modern museology criteria. Distinguished works of the famous calligraphers of the Ottoman Empire and examples of these works transferred to the digital environment also meet the visitors in the gallery. Mecidiye Mansion was opened to visitors for the first time in its history The Mecidiye Mansion, located in the 4th courtyard of Topkapı Palace, was opened to visitors for the first time in its history. Built by Sultan Abdülmecid in 1858 and used as a resting place by the sultans before religious and official ceremonies such as culus and destimal, the Mansion draws attention with its ornamental elements bearing the influences of 19th century European art. The Sacred Relics Office, Fatih Mansion, Mecidiye Mansion, Seferli Koğuşu and Hazine Koğuşu, which were opened to visitors for the first time after the restoration, can be visited every day between 09.00 and 17.30. Except on Tuesday, when Topkapi Palace is closed. Visitors will be able to take advantage of the free audio guide service at the entrance of the palace and no separate tickets will be required for the tour. All these sections can be visited with the Müzekart.

Mount Nemrut, unaffected by earthquakes, awaits its visitors

The Nemrut Mountain Ruins in Adıyaman, where giant statues from the Commagene Kingdom, which existed between 163 BC and 72 BC, are located, were not affected by the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes on 6 February. With the tourism season starting on April 1, the ruin awaits local and foreign tourists, aiming to exceed the number of visitors last year. Adıyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan told Anadolu Agency (AA) that 250 thousand people visited the ruins in 2022. Emphasizing that they expect more than 250 thousand visitors this year to the ruins that were not affected by the earthquakes, Alkan said, "The Mount Nemrut Ruins are under the protection of UNESCO. The mausoleum of Antiochus, the most important king of Commagene, is also located here. We are waiting for local and foreign visitors to Nemrut this year to see how Nemrut survived the 6 February earthquakes and to see the sunrise and sunset."

Ancient City of Dülük in Gaziantep will be opened to tourism

According to the statement made by the Metropolitan Municipality, a meeting was held with the participation of Governor Davut Gül and Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin in order to reveal the tourism potential of the ancient city and to determine the roadmap to be followed in terms of promotion. It is planned to protect the rock tombs, quarry and settlement remains and integrate them with technology in the ancient city of Dülük, which was a valuable settlement for people for a long time and was a religious center from the Hittite period to the Byzantine period. The historical periods witnessed by the region will be reflected to the visitors visually and audibly. Environmentally compatible plans will be implemented for the ancient city, which houses the Mitra Temple, which is known as the religion believed by the soldiers of Persian origin, and where the soldiers of the Roman legions were heavily influenced in the region. At the meeting organized at the Bahriye Üçok Meeting Hall and attended by Gaziantep Museum Director Özgür Çomak, institution managers and experts, the designs prepared for the first Mitras Underground Temple, the largest temple of this religion in the world and consisting of two parts, were discussed.

The "Ahlat Stonemasonry Tradition" in the UNESCO list continues

The "Ahlat Stonemasonry Tradition", which was included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List in Need of Urgent Protection last year, is kept alive with dexterous hands in the Ahlat district of Bitlis. Ahlat stone, which is obtained from the quarries in the district and preferred in buildings for centuries with its ability to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer, is extracted from the ground with a lot of effort and made ready for use. Stones, which were cut into blocks using hammer, sledgehammer, crowbar and chisel, and cut according to the measures determined by the workshops, are transformed into works of art in the hands of skilled craftsmen. Hayrettin Zengin, 48, the father of 5 children, who started stonemasonry in the district 10 years ago, masterfully embroiders Seljuk and Ottoman motifs and various patterns on stones of various sizes. "Some patterns can take a day" Becerikli, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Ahlat stone, which is widely used in the region and sent all over the country and to many countries, is one of the important income sources of the district. Explaining that some of the patterns they meticulously embroidered on the stones are finished in half an hour, some take a day, Becerikli said, "The processing time changes according to the pattern. We embroider the patterns that suit the stones. We make fountains, barbecues and fireplaces from Ahlat stone, we produce the stones used in the construction of tombs and houses. We embellish and shape the patterns by embroidering on the stone. We give life to the rocks brought from the quarries in blocks here." Stating that they adorned the stones with handcraft without using machinery, Becerikli said: "We sent Ahlat stone for a restored historical building in Germany. We deliver the products we make all over Turkey. 10 years ago, I constantly visited and watched my friends working in this workshop. I started my profession because I was curious. I learned the job with curiosity. I love my profession. I have 5 children and I make a living for my family with this job. I am also very happy that the Tradition of Pear Stone Work has been included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. I would like to thank those who contributed to this. They made us happy. We are doing our best to keep this tradition alive.” "The Ahlat Stonemasonry Tradition" was inscribed on the UNESCO list at the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage held on 28 November-3 December 2022 in Rabat, the capital of Morocco.

"Eski Kahta" will rise with tourism

The village of Eski Kahta on the route of Mount Nemrut includes Kahta Castle, Cendere Bridge, Karakuş Tumulus and Arsemia Ruins. The village, where some films were shot, including "Çirkinler De Sever", starring Müjde Ar and İlyas Salman, which won the "Best Film" award at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in 1982, was hosting many tourists every year before the earthquake. The earthquakes that took place on February 6 in Eski Kahta, which is an important center of the region in terms of tourism, caused minor damage to 2 houses and some historical buildings. In order for the village to regain its old charm in tourism, the Kahta District Governorate started to work. "A film project will take place next month" Kahta District Governor Selami Korkutata told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the earthquake caused destruction in the region. Stating that Eski Kahta is the first settlement of the district, Korkutata said, "Eski Kahta is a village. We will ensure the transformation of this village as well. We will try to make it more like a accommodation center together with the castle. We will try to make it even more beautiful with our restorations and repairs." Korkutata stated that several films were shot in the village before, and that there are some organizations that they are currently negotiating with. "They are planning to shoot a movie here and there will be a movie project next month. There are other projects we are discussing. It is an excellent opportunity to use the historical place and ground of this place to revive it." He also said that the village is an important center within the tourism destination. Korkutata emphasized that tourism points did not feel much impact from the earthquake disaster, and noted that there were only minor scraps at some points. "Especially Nemrut, Kahta Castle, Arsemia Ancient City and Karakuş Tumulus in the same destination are our very valuable historical values in this region. Our Kahta Castle has another special point. It is a 2,000 year old castle. This is a castle used by Commagene, Romans and Mamluks. We know that the inner parts of the castle are still tremendously protected." Korkutata said that even the earthquake disaster could not affect the historical castle. Korkutata pointed out that life in the region cannot be normalized unless it brings tourism, working life and education to a standard level. Korkutata stated that the studies on this subject will continue, "We know that our tourism region can still operate as before and that we can provide our services with this quality. We welcome all our citizens here. We want it to continue in the same way as it was in the past."

'Boğazköy Museum' in the Hittite capital, Hattuşa

Boğazköy Museum, located in Hattusa, the capital of the Hittites, was transformed into an independent museum by the decision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Archaeologist Resul İbiş has been appointed as the Director of Boğazköy Museum, which will carry out its work independently from the Çorum Museum. In the city, which was the capital of the Hittites, one of the largest empires of the world, it is planned that the tourism activities and museum services in the region will become more effective with the Bogazkoy museum gaining the status of an independent directorate. Alacahöyük Museum and archaeological site, Hattusa ruins and excavations in these areas will be carried out through Boğazköy Museum Directorate. Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Sümeyra Bektaş, explaining that 3 museums and 2 archaeological sites were provided as an organized excavation, said, “Boğazkale and Alacahöyük Museum Directorates were managed from the Çorum Museum. This caused the museology services not to be carried out very well. It was announced as a separate museum directorate with the consent of our Minister of Culture and Tourism. Resul İbiş, one of the experts of Çorum Museum, was appointed as the director of Boğazköy Museum. In the next period, excavations in Alacahöyük Museum and archaeological site, Hattusa ruins, and excavations in these areas will be carried out through Boğazköy Museum Directorate. Explaining that the Bogazkoy Museum will gain an independent status, museology and tourism activities will be carried out more effectively, Bektaş said, "Hattusa Ruins, which is on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list, and Boğazköy Museum, where the cuneiform tablets on the World Cultural Memory list, where thousands of tablets are found, are also in the Hattusa ruins. Boğazköy, with its sphinxes, one of which was taken abroad for restoration purposes in Germany and brought back to our country and took its place in the museum, will carry out its next works as the Museum Directorate. We invite you to see the world heritage with the start of the tourism season.” Boğazköy Museum, which was opened on September 12, 1966, was reorganized in 2011. Artifacts unearthed during the excavations of the Hittite capital, Hattusa, are exhibited in the museum. Thematic and chronological exhibitions were held in the exhibition halls of Boğazkale Museum. The display order, which starts with the Chalcolithic, Old Bronze Age and Assyrian Trade Colonies Age works in the first hall of the ground floor, continues chronologically with the Phrygian, Galatian, Roman Periods and ends with the Eastern Roman Period. Two Sphinxes at the Sphinx Gate in the Ancient City of Hattusa were taken to Berlin to be restored in 1907, as they were badly damaged by the fire. After restoration, one of the sphinxes was returned to the Istanbul Archaeological Museums in 1924, and the other was kept in the Berlin Museums until 2011. Both sphinxes are on display at Boğazköy Museum since 26 November 2011. In the Hittite hall, which is entered through the door where the sphinxes are located, the state and social structure of the Hittites is explained with panels and artifacts with rich visuals. A stonemason from the Hittite period is depicted with animation in this area. On the upper floor of the Hittite hall, the religious and military structure of the Hittites, their writing system, materials from the excavations, panel information and visuals are explained. There is also a model of the Hattusa ruins and the great temple here. In the garden of the museum, sphinxes from the Hittite period, hieroglyphic inscriptions, milestones and tombstones from the Roman and Eastern Roman periods are exhibited.

Earthquake precaution in the world's largest mosaic museum

400 small artifacts in the Hatay Archeology Museum, which some of it were damaged in the earthquakes, were sent to the Kırşehir Museum for protection against aftershocks and about 150 historical artifacts weighing tons are preserved in the museum with the formula of in situ preservation. Debris removal works continue uninterruptedly in Hatay, which suffered the most damage in the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, and there is a concern for historical artifacts in the Hatay Archeology Museum, which was partially damaged in the earthquakes. Noting that the museum, which was built in 2014, is built on bored piles and that the majority of the works in the museum are intact, Hatay Archeology Museum Director Ayşe Ersoy said, “Our museum is one of the most important museums in the world with an area of 10 thousand square meters, and it is also the largest mosaic museum in the world. A total of 3,000 works were exhibited here, of which 1,500 were small works and the others were large ones. Hatay is a city famous for its mosaics. Mosaics of Antiocheia Ancient City, Seleukeia Pieria, Alexandretta Ancient City, other ancient cities, villas and baths of this region are exhibited in this museum. All of the floor mosaics brought after the excavations of the 1930s and 1938 and the museum's recent excavations are also exhibited here. Statue of King Suppiluliuma preserved in situ Stating that the statue of King Suppiluliuma, which the people of the region showed the most interest and wondered about its latest status after the earthquake, Ersoy said, “After the Great Hittite Kingdom collapsed, the Hittites came to Southeast Anatolia and established small empires and city kingdoms. In this region, the Unqi/Patina Kingdom was established. He is a king belonging to the Unqi/Patina Kingdom. The 1.5-ton and 1.5-meter-high King Suppiluliuma statue was protected in situ because it was too heavy to carry.” “150 artifacts were protected in situ against aftershocks” Stating that the same practice was applied to the Antakya Sarcophagus, Arsuz Steles and the gigantic immovable artifacts, Ersoy said, “All the artifacts on display here have been moved to the Kırşehir Museum. Heavy artifacts, which are difficult to transport, were wrapped with geotextiles and etaform, and then surrounded by a light material, pozzolana, which we call lava ash, and protected in a steel cage. About 150 artifacts in heavy tonnage in our museum were protected in situ against aftershocks.

Visitors rush to see returned treasures in Antalya museum

Antalya Museum Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Culture and Tourism Ministry General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, Antalya and Burdur Museum Directorates, New York Culture and Promotion Office have collaborated to bring the artifacts looted from their homeland. The statues of Lucius Verus, Attis, Apollon, terracotta plate and the fragments of four columnar sarcophagi, which were smuggled to the U.S. from ancient cities in Türkiye years ago, were returned to Türkiye in November 2022. Nine artifacts were opened to visitors at a ceremony held at the Antalya Museum Directorate. Among them the human-sized bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Lucius Verus and the Roman-era four-piece columnar sarcophagus from the ancient city of Perge in Antalya were the two most popular artifacts. The museum reported that the statue of Verus is one of the rare human-sized bronze statues that have survived to the present day. Antalya Museum Director Mustafa Demirel said, “Thanks to the works of the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the late Professor Jale İnan, legal processes started for the return of the artifacts to our country. As a result, they were returned to the country and delivered to the Antalya Museum. There are also other returned artifacts in the museum. They attract great attention. The museum hosted 166,000 visitors last year.” Source: Hurriyet Daily News