İbrahim Erol, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Faculty of Fine Arts (FAF), made a spatial evaluation for Istanbul Suriçi, based on Norberg Schulz's concept of “genius loci”.
“Man, in the most basic sense, embodies his existence by dwelling and settling. Architecture, as the organization process of time, meaning, and communication in space, creates an aesthetic construction and design process by putting the human being at the center of these concepts and bringing functional requirements together with economic and technical possibilities. Schulz explains the situation of the place becoming a place with the concept of the spirit of the place (genius loci), which comes from ancient Roman culture. Places integrate with the meanings of the names that indicate them and have a spirit (genius loci).
Bounded by the Golden Horn in the north, the Bosphorus in the east, and the Marmara Sea in the south, and also called the "Historical Peninsula", Istanbul Suriçi is a place quite suitable for Schulz's concept of "place", with its partially preserved characteristic features, topography and many works with a deep meaning.
The Suriçi region, which was used as an administrative center in Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire, maintains a multi-layered cultural accumulation in the socio-cultural sense and has a unique identity with this aspect. Suriçi has an aesthetically and perceptually legible character thanks to its three-dimensional geometry and the settlements built by the human scale (Picture-1).
Suriçi Region; It has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List together with many different regions it covers (Picture-2). The "places" protected in these regions are also the landmarks, nodes, and borders that define the urban image of the Suriçi Region. Magnificent religious buildings, built by different societies in various periods at the points where the topography rises and on wide squares, are elements that embody the relationship between earth and sky, as well as being a sign.
Although the sea walls have disappeared today, Suriçi is a region that is bordered by water on three sides and man-made land walls due to its natural structure. Although this situation defines a closure to Suriçi, both in its old and new state, the region has become more open and permeable with the land transportation axes created over time and the transportation provided over water. It can be seen that the touristic and commercial places, which are the attraction center of the city, contribute to the complex architecture as man-made places. Wood, stone, brick, etc. Along with many traditional building materials, it is also possible to see facades covered with composite materials, especially in newly built places. This variety of materials, which we can define as traditional and modern, is also representative of the color transitions in the streets of Suriçi. This situation allows the spirit of the place to be felt better in some places such as Balat, Beyazıt, and Sultanahmet Square, where romantic, cosmic, and classical architectural elements are grouped.
Suriçi region, together with the character it has revealed within itself, creates a special "place" image within Istanbul in general. Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosques, and Topkapi Palace; create a unique historical peninsula silhouette for the Bosphorus. Therefore, spaces that reveal the spirit of the place based on structure and region are also of great importance for the city of Istanbul on a larger scale. The Istanbul Walled District, with its streets, squares, sign elements, facades, courtyards, and sense of direction; is a “place” where the natural environment, otherworldly perception, building forms, and cosmic symbols gain meaning.”
RESOURCES
Isac, J. (Before 1864). Istanbul Walled Area Map, (Access address: https://historiccities.huji.ac.il/turkey/istanbul/maps/jaspar_isac_before_1654_istanbul_b.jpg)
İBB, (2012). “Management Plan Area Analytical Sheets”, Istanbul Historical Areas Area Presidency, (Access address: https://www.alanbaskanligi.gov.tr/analitic.html)
Gur, S. Ö., (1996), “Organization of Space”, Gür Publishing, Trabzon, 26-95.
