Introduction to Tekfur Sarayi

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Old Postcard of Istanbul

Istanbul is a city with a history dating back to 657 BC when it was founded by the ancient Greeks and named Byzantium. Since then, this centrally located stronghold has experienced sieges and conquests. Thus, the urban landscape is riddled with structural relics from each of its past conquering empires. The Tekfur Sarayi, constructed between the late 13th to early 14th century, stands as the one of the most iconic and well-kept timepieces of the Byzantine Empire's control of Istanbul (or, as they called it at the time, Constantinople) (1). 

"Culture is mix. Culture means a mix of things from other sources. And my town, Istanbul, was this kind of mix." - Orhan Pamuk

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Painting Portraying One of the Many Sieges of Constantinople.

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Photo of Tekfur Sarayi after Ottoman Control

When an urban environment changes hands so much due to empiricism and conquest, the surviving landmarks can retain history from each of the past empires and thus embody multiple symbolic meanings beyond its original purpose. This process of multiple cultures influencing the historical understanding of a monument can facilitate a Lieu De Memoire. Such is the case of the Tekfur Sarayi, a building that has been under siege many times, starting immediately after its erection. After the Byzantine empire lost control of Istanbul to the Ottomans in 1453, the palace took on many interesting roles, from menagerie (Sultan's exotic animal storage) to brothel and everything in between (1). After centuries of odd uses the building was abandoned in the early 20th century, leaving it to slowly fall apart. Finally, in 2010, there was a large effort to restore Istanbul's historic landmarks and the Tekfur Sarayi, due to it being the best maintained of the three surviving Byzantine palaces, was on the top of the list. Now, it stands with a new roof and glass windows as a reinvented symbolic reminder of the many prosperous eras throughout Istanbul's rich past. A close observation of the palace and its role as a Lieu De Memoire across time can reveal much about the unique characteristics of Istanbul's many former occupiers. 

1) Basgelen, Nezih, and Nezih Basgelen. The Landwalls of Istanbul: From The Marmara Sea to The Golden Horn: Towers, Gates, Related Monuments. Istanbul: Archaeology & Arts Publications, 2011. Print.