Ahunbay explains the care taken to restore the important landmark.
Zeynep Ahunbay was a professor of restoration at İTÜ’s Architecture Department for decades and has managed countless restoration and preservation projects across Turkey. She is currently on the advisory board of two World Heritage assets: the Hagia Sophia and the Great Mosque and Hospital in Divriği. She was also on the Advisory Board for the restoration of Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi).
Ahunbay maintains that Maiden’s Tower’s authentic form and substance needed to be protected with care, as it is a prominent figure in the silhouette of Istanbul: “The original structure consists of a rectangular tower with a courtyard. A timber structure was added to the east in the 19th century by Sultan Mahmut II. Using the information about the history and from the inspection of the existing structures, proposals were made for improving the safety and presentation of the site.”
Ahunbay explains that the structure had suffered from earthquakes and undergone several repairs in the past: “Some of the timber beams reinforcing the masonry walls had rotted. A fire in the 1940s caused damage to the upper section which was built in timber. After the fire, the upper part of the tower was reconstructed in reinforced concrete. Being exposed to harsh weather for more than 70 years, the reinforced concrete section had deteriorated. After evaluating its condition, structural engineers proposed to remove the reinforced concrete balcony and roof. The upper part of the Tower was rebuilt with timber and steel.”
The restoration also created a reveal: “In the late 20th century, the timber kiosk on the eastern side of the tower had been reconstructed in reinforced concrete. The advisory board decided to remove it and reconstruct it with timber. The removal revealed the eastern gate to the courtyard of the Tower. The project was modified to exhibit the gate.”
Published May 2023
