STORY: Renovation of ancient walls in Istanbul benefits surrounding neighborhoods
DATELINE: June 22, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:00
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Istanbul city
2. various of historical walls of Istanbul
3. various of Onder Guler, a historian who was part of the project's brain trust
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ONDER GULER, Historian of the project's brain trust
5. various of people sitting in the cafe
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): HASAN MARSOGLU, Resident of Mevlanakapi neighborhood
7. various of people walking and children playing

STORYLINE:

The restoration of the 1,600-year-old historical walls of Istanbul, the largest Turkish city, has rejuvenated surrounding neighborhoods.

The walls, originally built in the 5th century during the Eastern Roman Empire to protect the city from enemies on land and sea, went through a series of modifications throughout history. However, a large part of them, either destroyed or heavily damaged, did not survive the ravages of time.
   
Though the walls were excellent fortification systems in antiquity, they once became a notorious place in modern society as its nearby neighborhoods were seen as a shelter for drug addicts, alcoholics and the homeless, and witnessed repeated collapsing incidents.
   
Now, the entire area has seen a rapid transformation since the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality launched a major restoration project in 2021.
   
Onder Guler, a historian who was part of the project's brain trust, spoke highly of the project.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ONDER GULER, Historian of the project's brain trust
"This place was in a pathetic state. You couldn't get in (the bastions) or climb up the stairs, and there were no bars. There was a safety risk and a danger of collapsing. At night, people couldn't pass through the courtyard of arches. Now, there is an around-the-clock service here, with a lighting system and security personnel patrolling the area. This pleases us and the neighborhood, so this is honorable."
 
Following the restoration and maintenance works, a 7 km part out of the total 22 km of the walls has been opened to the public, with a beautiful walking route dotted with libraries, parks, cafes, and art and cultural centers.
     
Hasan Marsoglu, 70, has lived in a neighborhood by the walls since he was born. He said the area has been transformed into a safe place where people are having fun, experiencing the history and visiting the exhibitions.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): HASAN MARSOGLU, Resident of Mevlanakapi neighborhood
"My wife is now a frequent visitor of this spot, and she's jogging with her friends, sitting at cafes, chatting, and having tea or coffee. They visit the area with peace of mind. Because there is security and no one can do anything. This didn't exist in the past."

Restoration work is continuing on the walls, which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)