Evaluation of the Şerefiye Cistern in the Context of Reuse

Abstract

The cisterns, which were built under the ground to meet the city's water needs, are cultural heritage historical structures that have lost their original functions today. Re-functioning historical buildings that lost their function in the process and contributing to urban life has been practiced in Turkey as well as in the world in recent years. The historical Şerefiye Cistern, a Byzantine water structure on the Historic Peninsula in Istanbul, was restored and re-functionalized in 2017 and opened to use as a cultural building. The aim of this study is to examine the Şerefiye Cistern in the context of reuse. The architecture of the Şerefiye Cistern, which could not maintain its original function, was compared before and after the restoration. After the restoration, a partial modern addition was made to the building. In the study, the socio-economic and cultural benefits of physical intervention in the cistern were questioned. After all; It has been seen that the reuse concept applied to the building both ensures its own sustainability and has positive effects on the historical environment in which it is located.