The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has initiated restoration work at the world-famous St. Nicholas Memorial Museum in the Demre district of Antalya. The museum will have a brand new look when the restoration is completed.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has started comprehensive restoration work at the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum in Demre. It is one of the most important historical structures of Turkey and Antalya tourism. National and international conservation principles carry out the restoration, and practices are carried out by the principle of least interference for the preservation of the original values of the building. Within the scope of the restoration carried out so far, infrastructure and drainage works have been completed to reduce the effects of rain and groundwater on the structure and its surroundings since the structure is below sea level. The original Byzantine canal of the ancient period is located north of the building. It was also included in this system and regained its function.
Steel Construction Roof Removed
Conservation of the original wall paintings and mosaics in the building continues. Conservation and cleaning work on the actual walls and reinforcing the stony floors of the interior and exterior spaces are carried out. Cleaning works are carried out on the exterior of the building, and consolidation works are carried out at the joints. While the protection applications of the mortar roof on the building were carried out, the steel construction roof system was installed in the 1980s and protected the building from the rain was removed. A new protective roof will be built to cover the southern burial chamber, the southeast chapel and the entrance. Since the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum is also a tourism center and is used as a museum, a sightseeing platform, a visitor area including additional buildings, and landscaping will be made to allow private individuals to visit as a requirement of this function. While the existing toilet section in the museum will be demolished, a new one will be built.
It will be passed on to the next generations while preserving its originality.
Nilüfer Sezgin, Director of the Lycian Civilizations Museum, gave information about the extensive restoration works at the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum. "First of all, the old roof structure will be removed, and the aesthetic appearance and perception of our museum will be emphasized with the new roof construction. The wall paintings and mosaics are documented and strengthened. The retaining wall and landscaping will be renewed. To transfer the originality of our St. Nicholas Memorial Museum, which has been preserved for centuries, to the next generations. Our work continues at full speed,” she said.
Emre Dertli is one of the restoration teams that deal with murals. He said, "First, documentation work is carried out under the supervision of expert restorers in wall paintings. Afterwards, it will be implemented in line with this documentation."
Visiting the museum, Russian Anna Kharkov said, "It is a sacred building for us. I am thrilled to be here. It has been preserved for centuries. Today it is being restored by the Turkish government. I thank those who preserved and restored this sacred place to carry it into the future more solidly."
Ahmet ACAR (DHA)
