Restoration work has begun on the Maiden's Tower by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The press conference held at the Maiden's Tower was attended by the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, as well as project consultants Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ahunbay and Han Tümertekin also attended.
At the meeting titled "The Maiden's Tower Reopens Its Eyes", Ersoy said, "As the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we continue to work meticulously in order to bring to light the unique heritage of our history and to protect the artifacts of our civilization." said.
Ersoy stated that they have to protect all cultural assets of Turkey with the same sensitivity and do what is necessary to transfer this cultural heritage to the next generations. he said.
Pointing out that the Maiden's Tower in the middle of the sea, which is rarely seen in the world, has been used for different purposes for centuries, Ersoy continued as follows:
“The Maiden's Tower, which was used as a control of the Bosphorus traffic, a fortress after the conquest, a lighthouse that guides sea transportation, a surveillance and radar station, and a cyanide warehouse for a short period of time, was also used as a plague and quarantine point. After the restoration works carried out between 1995-2000, it served as a restaurant until recently. It has been determined in the historical records that the Maiden's Tower was frequently repaired due to its use in different functions and its location in the middle of the sea, due to the destructive effects of humidity, salinization and waves. When the written and visual records of different periods and the repair books are examined, the architectural transformations of the historical building are also clearly seen.”
“The Maiden's Tower is an important monument”
Minister Ersoy stated that the spatial and material changes arising from the functions of the Maiden's Tower in the historical process were examined and that a restitution and restoration project was prepared in the light of scientific research.
Mentioning that the Maiden's Tower is an important monument, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said, “Any work to be done on the Maiden's Tower will be presented to the public with all its transparency on the established website. In line with this understanding, we aim for the Maiden's Tower to remain only as a Monument without a function, to be visited as a 'Monumentary Art', and to observe the beauties of Istanbul from the Maiden's Tower panorama.” made its assessment.
Project consultant Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ahunbay also stated that the work done for the re-discovery and protection of an important monument is very valuable.
Han Tümertekin, on the other hand, mentioned that the project has two important dimensions for him, and said, “The first is the Maiden's Tower, a place I have always seen from afar as a child born and raised in Cihangir. So it has a personal dimension and excitement. Secondly, how should we touch such a monument, millimeter by millimeter, so that its values and spatial richness are not lost in the slightest, but on the contrary, all its values are passed over and made more visible. As the minister said, this is now a monument to visit. So it will turn into a public space.” he said.
Within the scope of restoration works; With the removal of the roof over the courtyard of the Maiden's Tower, the original dendanlar and twitch (the part on the body and the bastions) paths were revealed, the cement joints on the original walls of the city walls and tower were cleaned and new joints were made with Khorasan mortar, the courtyard and the outside floors were restored to their original material determined in historical records. There are technical details such as strengthening the dome with carbon fibers.
While the new face of the Maiden's Tower is aimed to meet with the visitors in April 2022, the details of the work http://www.kizkulesi.com can be followed from.
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