The Maiden’s Tower opened its doorways to guests after two years of intensive restoration work as Tradition and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy launched the meticulous renovations of the landmark with the outstanding restorers in a information convention held early Thursday.
The minister proudly introduced that each one non-original additions to the Maiden’s Tower had been eliminated throughout the restoration and that it was restored to its unique type from the time of Sultan Mahmud II. The respectable crew of restorers contains architect Feridun Cılı, a number one Turkish scholar of antiquities Zeynep Ahunbay and at last, grasp architect Han Tümertekin, who has revealed many articles within the worldwide enviornment.
Ersoy highlighted the principle motto of the restoration works as he elaborated that any more, Istanbulities is not going to observe the Maiden’s Tower from the shore however will observe Istanbul from the Maiden’s Tower.
“After a two-year restoration course of, we’re reintroducing the Maiden’s Tower to our residents. This can be a very historic construction that dates again 2,400 years. It was destroyed and rebuilt a number of occasions all through historical past. Restoration work was carried out throughout the Republican period, in 1944 and within the Nineteen Sixties.
The final restoration work passed off in 1998, 1999 and 2000. The newest restoration work was simply accomplished right this moment,” he added.
“Once we have a look at the historical past of the Maiden’s Tower, we see totally different variations of it. Earlier than beginning the restoration, we examined the restoration work performed in 1944. The unique components of the construction that remained from that point had been the tower and the fort. All the opposite components you see exterior the constructing and chateau are additions made later. Many of those additions should not devoted to the unique design. Sadly, concrete was used, which is now banned in restoration work in lots of nations however was a preferred materials within the Forties,” he added.
Ersoy demonstrated that the Maiden’s Tower had returned to its unique state throughout the interval of Sultan Mahmud II by displaying images and an outdated TL 10 invoice from his pocket. He defined that the primary photograph was taken in 1826 throughout the reign of Sultan Mahmud II, and the second photograph was taken in 2023 after the restoration. The minister maintained that the constructing has been restored to its unique type.
“Within the Nineties and Nineteen Sixties, a collection of comparable faulty additions had been made. Particularly we don’t favor the utilization of concrete because the chemical substances and salts in concrete injury the unique partitions and supplies. Over time, this causes injury and put on to the fabric. Equally, it disrupts the static calculations made 1000’s of years in the past in keeping with the unique materials. After the terrace, this constructing was designed with wooden. Within the restorations of the Forties, the static construction was broken as a result of concrete was used excessively.
“After a long time, the additions began to wreck the partitions, holes opened and cracks appeared. The constructing began to slip slowly,” he defined.
Ersoy mentioned: “As a consequence of these circumstances, there are two necessary steps we’ve got performed on this restoration venture. One in all them is the removing of later pointless non-original additions. The second is the restoration of the constructing with its unique materials. Throughout each the restoration and reconstruction processes, the unique supplies of the constructing from years in the past had been used,” Ersoy highlighted.
“The initiatives ready by our science council had been applied after being authorised by the monuments board. There are literally two varieties of work right here. One is said to the construction of the platform, and the opposite is said to the work below the platform or at sea stage as there have been 1000’s of breakages and fragmentations over 1000’s of years.”
“Because it was not restored with the unique materials, the platform was eliminated, and a stronger L-pile system was strengthened round it. Sadly, the earlier pile system was additionally constructed incorrectly. Brief piles had been used, and it induced sliding over time with the waves as a result of it was solely constructed on two sides. Now, all 4 sides have been strengthened with piles, and 25-meter-long piles have been inserted into the stable seabed,” he added.
The minister introduced that beginning on Thursday evening, the constructing shall be opened to the general public with a light-weight and laser present. The present will function a love story between Galata Tower and Maiden’s Tower.
Will probably be repeated each evening and can enable the folks of Istanbul to benefit from the view of town from the Maiden’s Tower.
Legend has it that the 2 towers stand as a logo of their everlasting love, with the Galata Tower gazing lovingly on the Maiden’s Tower, ready for the day they are often reunited as soon as once more.
The Maiden’s Tower shall be open at no cost visits till the top of Could.