22 February, 2010 03:23:00

Hagia Irene is first in line to be saved

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The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has designated 26 locations to be restored in order to prevent damage in the case of a significant earthquake taking place in Istanbul. Amongst the first locations to be preserved are Hagia Irene, Mecidiye Pavilion and the Archaeology Museum.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has determined which historical buildings will undergo measures for protection in the case of an earthquake measuring six or above on the Richter scale taking place in Istanbul. The three historical buildings designated as priorities for maintenance is Hagia Irene (Aya Irini), the Mecidiye Pavilion (Mecidiye Köşk) located in the Topkapi Palace, and the Archeology Museum. The restoration project embarked upon by the Ministry for these three historical sites will be put up for tender in the days to follow. After the tender is held, restoration will commence on these three priority locations. After these three sites have been restored, priority will then go to other historical locations including Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) and the Harem segments, the Galata Whirling Dervish Hall (Galata Mevlevihanesi), the Mihrimah Sultan Sıbyan School and the Yildiz Palace (Yıldız Sarayı) complex.

There are a total of 26 historical buildings and locations that need to be restored. However, a majority of these locations consist of complex structures. The initial research into the restoration of the historical and cultural sites was conducted by the Istanbul Governorship. With specialized computer systems, the locations were tested in regards to how they would be affected by an earthquake. This project, entitled ISMEP (Istanbul Seismic Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness), is being conducted with support from the World Bank and will ensure that the cultural sites functionality following a prospective earthquake is guaranteed.
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