Istanbul Gelisim University - Special restoration for the 107-year-old Dikilitaş

Special restoration for the 107-year-old Dikilitaş

A special restoration has been started for the 107-year-old Dikilitaş* Monument, which was built in the name of First Corps Commander Mehmet Ali Pasha in Istanbul Bakırköy. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) officials, who made a statement to DHA, expressed that a signage and lightings will be made around the monument, and its use as a parking lot will be prevented.

The Dikilitaş Monument, located on the İncirli Street, was damaged due to its location on a route with heavy traffic. This condition of the historical monument was brought to the public agenda by İlknur Türkoğlu, the Head of the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage of Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU). Having been carrying out conservation works in the Dikilitaş Monument in the past months, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) stated that a lighting and information sign will be placed in the coming days, thus preventing its use as a parking lot.

CARRYING RISK OF ACCIDENTS IN THE DAY, THE MONUMENT IS A CAR PARK AT NIGHTS

Speaking to DHA, Dr. İlknur Türkoğlu stated that there should be a strip around the monument in order to protect it against accident risks and to pass it on to future generations. She also said, "We were happy with the restoration, but it was a problem that it was so unprotected and there was no information about the building." Reminding that the monument was surrounded by an iron cage before, Türkoğlu said, “İncirli Street is also a busy street with heavy traffic. The people of Bakırköy just pass by the Dikilitaş. Some even park their cars here at night.”

Türkoğlu suggested that the monument can be arranged as a park by building banks around it and said “This place can also be considered as a small park that can be used by the public. It's a beautiful place with trees. Even if it is not a large area, a small public park with banks can be built. I think that there should be a place where a monument that is very important for the history of Bakırköy will be arranged in a more prominent and sheltered way.”

IBB: RESTORATION WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS

IBB officials stated that the work on the Dikilitaş monument will be completed in the coming days, and said, “The monumental stone, whose previous intense protection cage was removed by the IBB Cultural Heritage Protection teams, has been taken to the level it deserves. Conservation has been done by our teams. Additionally, a work that will introduce the monument and prevent parking around it will be completed in the coming days.”

Translator's Note (*): Dkilitaş means obelisk in English language.