Restoration of damaged historical buildings in Kahramanmaraş

The Acting General Director of Cultural Heritage and Museums, Birol İnceciköz, mentioned that the tender for 5 more buildings, including 4 museums and 1 fortress, is still ongoing. He stated, 'Based on the classifications of slight damage, moderate damage, severe damage, and collapse, strengthening and restoration/reconstruction projects are prepared according to the determinations and recommendations of the scientific advisory board and are being carried out with approval from the relevant conservation boards to ensure the immovable cultural assets are reinforced, repaired, or reconstructed.' Sinan Aksu, the General Director of Foundations, stated that they have completed the tender for 60 artifacts and added, 'As part of this, we will first begin restoration on Abdülkadir Ağa Mosque, Fatih Paşa (Bıyıklı Mehmet Paşa-Kurşunlu) Mosque and Shrine, Arasta Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Fatikli Mosque, and the Rum Catholic Church.' Two major earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6, centered in Kahramanmaraş, caused significant damage and destruction to historical structures. Following the earthquake, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism initiated efforts for the proper restoration and reinforcement of the buildings. Among the tendered artifacts are Şanlıurfa Harran Fortress, Şanlıurfa Harran Ulu Mosque, Şanlıurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep Fortress, Diyarbakır E Type Prison Museum and Cultural Area, Diyarbakır Walls, Hatay City Museum, Malatya Atatürk House Museum, Adıyaman Kahta Fortress, Diyarbakır Saint George Church, and Çardaklı Hamamı. Earth scientist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, a member of the Science Academy, issued warnings for Istanbul following the 5.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Kozan, Adana, the other day. He stated, 'We are expecting a minimum of 7.2 and a maximum of 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Marmara region, specifically a rupture on the northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault. There are already different branches there. We are expecting the breakage of those branches. The earthquake situation in Istanbul is serious, and nothing has changed. As we have always said, we need to prepare Istanbul for the earthquake. It needs to be done with a mobilization spirit.'' He also added , ''The earthquake is approaching in Istanbul, that's for sure. In the studies conducted, starting from the earthquakes in 1999 and with the possibility of occurring at any moment, within 30 years starting from 1999, the probability was stated to be 62 percent. Now, 23-24 years have passed. Therefore, in my opinion, the outlook for this possibility is becoming more pessimistic. Because every year, there is a 2.5 centimeter movement on the northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault due to stress buildup. Considering the stress that large earthquakes occurring in Turkey exert on the Anatolian fault zone, it is not possible for this process to last much longer.'

Restoration of damaged historical buildings in Kahramanmaraş

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism takes swift action to restore and reinforce 21 damaged artifacts, including service buildings, museums, and fortresses, after devastating earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6 hit Kahramanmaraş.