Diyarbakır Kent Surları Koruma Sorunları

Abstract

The city walls of Diyarbakır have a particular place among all Anatolia'ı rich monumental architecture. It was after the 1990s, however, that the fortifications came into discussion with the efforts of different interest groups. These groups are in effect still debating today different aspects < their conservation. This paper is based on a study carried out in 1999 to define technical aspects of their conservation, aiming to provide input f( the ongoing conservation intervention applications on site. In the first section of the study, the construction techniques, material properties an< conservation problems are defined, whereas in the second section, the reasons of deterioration are outlined according to the findings of the site survey. The third part consists of the results of laboratory studies made determine the main physical properties and composition of mortar samples obtained from the site. In the fourth section, the structural analyses made to understand the earthquake behavior of the fortificatioi walls, are stated. The walls, constructed in the alternate ordered wall system, have survived to the present day after various interventions at different periods. In this section, the relation between existing structural deterioration and earthquakes are studied. In the fifth section, all data obtained and the possible sources of the conservation problems observe in the walls are evaluated. Proposals for short and long term studies to be carried out on these fortifications are presented in the sixth and last section.