A Brief History of the Restoration of the Theodosian Walls Before the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to briefly present the history of the restoration of the Theodosian Walls in Constantinople and their green surroundings, with a focus on the different factors that have affected this process. The Theodosian Walls, now in Istanbul, were one of the most perfect works of military architecture for hundreds of years, contributing to the survival of the city in the face of repeated attacks, as well as surviving numerous earthquakes. Their design was characterized by a number of military solutions that were innovative at the time. However, due to damage caused by natural disasters, and as a result of war and the expansion of the city, many restoration works have been undertaken during their existence. The biggest changes were made during the expansion of roads in the twentieth century, as well as during restoration works carried out after 1991. These restoration works included the protection and partial reconstruction of the fortification’s original appearance. Today, a question remains regarding how to restore such an important monument in current cultural conditions while taking into consideration the importance of green areas in the city. The main conclusion of this research is that both the walls and bostans, as inseparable parts of tangible heritage, could significantly support cultural tourism following their complex restoration and full inclusion into the educational system in Turkey