When will Selimiye Mosque open? Is the restoration finished?
The restoration work that started on November 25, 2021, continues at the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, which has over 1 million visitors annually and which Mimar Sinan called 'his masterpiece'.
In the historical structure, a section of which is open to visitors and worship, lead renewal and stone repairs have been completed, work on all four minarets has been completed and the scaffolding has been dismantled.
The conservation and restoration work of the kundekari entrance doors and window shutters in the mosque was completed last October.
During the ongoing restoration process of Mimar Sinan's masterpiece, Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, this time calligraphy has become a topic of discussion.
Restoration work was previously halted due to a disagreement between artists and ICOMOS Türkiye over the restoration of the main dome patterns. Now, some of the calligraphy is being requested to be removed on the grounds that it was added to the structure later.
On the other hand, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which made a statement about the ongoing restoration work in the historical mosque, drew attention to the 18th century hand-drawn works continuing on the main dome.
The statement stated that the new study, which envisages the removal and reinterpretation of the hand-drawn works in question, would damage the structure, and that "Interventions that would harm the Outstanding Universal Value within the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage List could put the status of the asset at risk."
AKP Edirne Deputy Fatma Aksal stated that meticulous work was carried out at the Selimiye Mosque with UNESCO officials and expert academics, and said:
"It is out of the question to remove it from UNESCO. It is the world's heritage. It is a masterpiece of Turkish-Islamic architecture. It belongs to the people of Edirne, to all of Türkiye, and to the whole world since it is now on the World Heritage List. That's why UNESCO has criteria; it is being done according to those criteria. In fact, the reason why the restoration has taken so long is that UNESCO and our experts were asked, and an incredibly meticulous work is being carried out by our very valuable professors. It is very beautiful, and it is the first time that it has undergone such a comprehensive restoration in a way that it deserves. It is a 600-year-old work; God willing, we will carry it to future generations for at least another 600 years. This restoration will save about 100 years of its existence. Very meticulous work is being carried out. Since it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is a part of this work. There is no question of removing it from the UNESCO list. The restoration continues by working together with UNESCO."
'OPENS IN AUTUMN'Aksal, who pointed to September or October for the opening ceremony planned to be attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said, "These are very delicate works, since the opinions of experts are required; the construction and restoration related parts have been completed. The hand-drawn works that are being done right now; the opinion of the Council of Monuments is also required for the hand-drawn works, the opinion of UNESCO is required, the opinions of our professors who have done very serious work in this field are required. Therefore, this takes some time. It will probably open in the fall. Our President will also come to the opening. Right now, Edirne is quiet, calm and warm. Hopefully, we will reopen Selimiye for worship in the fall, September and October. We had not closed it completely anyway, but a large portion of both Edirne residents and tourists coming from outside want to see Selimiye in all its magnificence. Therefore, I think it will open for all of us to use in September and October."
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