After Restoration, 30 Historic Tombs In Istanbul Are Opened To The Public

Sultan Suleiman's grave in Istanbul. (Wikimedia Commons/R Prazeres)

JAKARTA - Tombs in Istanbul are often similar to museums, so it is not surprising that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is trying to restore the countless historical and iconic tombs in this city.

Speaking at the reopening of the latest tomb, the Nev-i Fidan Grave in Badminton, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, stated that the tombs were a kind of private museum "because the tombstones in them tell the life of someone there, or Kaftan or head decoration, if any, reflect the architectural style at that time and reveal the person's characteristics."

Demircan said there were around 1,000 graves in Istanbul.

"We started the restoration work of 122 graves... This work will continue gradually. This is because our civilization and culture care about individuals and respect for individuals," he explained, launching Daily Sabah on April 26.

Meanwhile, the Director of Culture and Tourism of the Istanbul Province, Co bigkun Y Marijuz, said that many works of art have been restored in Turkey in the last 20 years.

"Regarding the resurgence of historical artifacts, the improvements made in Istanbul have high volume and quantity. This is not only a sign of love for history, but also a reflection of the development of the country... This is a culture, civilization, world of value and morals that makes people human," he explained.

Furthermore, Ymenulmaz emphasized that the restoration of 30 of the 124 graves under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Istanbul has been completed.

"The restoration of these tombs is a completely different development because this is a window towards a different perspective on history, past and culture, considering these tombs have been closed for years, the doors are locked and (full of) spider nests," he explained.

"It is very important in terms of mindset and meeting with the past that more than 100 tombs are included in the restoration program by the ministry with respect to our ancestors (we), some of which have been completed and some of them are under planning," he said.

Projects for maintenance, repair, and restoration of more than 30 graves as well as restoration and arrangement of 25 graves have been prepared in the first phase of this project.

In the scope of this project, a three-stage work program has been determined by 33 tenders for maintenance and repair, comprehensive restoration and preparation for the tasks of the 15 sultan grave, 28 dynastic members, 60 wazir Agung and pasha as well as 21 religious leaders.

It is known that Baba Cafer's tomb, Osman Pasha's tomb and the Nev-i Fidan Women's Tomb were included in the tomb which had reopened in the first phase.