Conclusion

The Great Palace was once a site that exemplified the lavish and extravagant lifestyles of rulers in Istanbul's history. As a center of politics and culture during its existence, the palace was initially built to act as a residence for the iconic ruler Constantine the Great. This initial purpose itself highlights the importance the Great Palace once held in Turkish society. However, today we see an absence of the great palace through its present site, which is comprised of a museum commemorating its remains, excavation sites attempting to revive the palace, and the Sultanhamet Mosque and Park. These structures altogether generate a lieux de mémoire that emphasize the present absence of the Great Palace and furthermore, the past prominence of the palace. The site also acts as a lieux de mémoire in highlighting in our memories the history of attitudes toward the great palace. The contemporary absence underscores the progression of these attitudes from prominence in the Early Byzantine era toward indifference and abandonment in the Ottoman Empire and a quick transition to prominence again in today's society. This contemporary prominence can be seen most saliently through our "will to remember," as outlined through Nora's work and exemplified in the museum and excavation sites that sit atop the palace today. Altogether, the lieux de mémoire of the current-day Great Palace serves as a fascinating and also ironic site that features an intriguing interplay between presence and absence that provides a powerful memorial heritage for the city of Istanbul.