STORY: Turkish tourism officials hope to attract tourists with archaeological sites
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 23, 2024
DATELINE: March 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:54
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: CULTURE/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Istanbul
2. various of the site of the ruins of the Saint Polyeuktos Church
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ALI ASKER, Archeologist of Istanbul Municipality's Directorate of Cultural Assets Projects
4. various of the site of the ruins of the Saint Polyeuktos Church
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ALI ASKER, Archeologist of Istanbul Municipality's Directorate of Cultural Assets Projects
6. various of the site of the ruins of the Saint Polyeuktos Church
7. various of Huseyin Gazi Cosan, director of Istanbul Municipality's Tourism Division, receiving interview
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): HUSEYIN GAZI COSAN, Director of Istanbul Municipality's Tourism Division

STORYLINE:

Saint Polyeuktos Church was an ancient Byzantine church in Constantinople, today's Istanbul, Türkiye.

The church was commissioned by Anicia Juliana, a Byzantine princess, in 527 A.D.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): ALI ASKER, Archeologist of Istanbul Municipality's Directorate of Cultural Assets Projects
"Anicia Juliana gave all her wealth to build this church. She imprinted her signature to the city with this building and immortalized her name with this building."

The church remained in use until the end of the 10th century.

It remained lost to time until 1960 when the construction of an underpass in Sarachane uncovered ruins. 

Istanbul Archaeological Museums and Oxford University began excavating the site in 1964 and found the church's foundations before the works paused four years later.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Heritage Department restarted excavation at the park in June 2022.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ALI ASKER, Archeologist of Istanbul Municipality's Directorate of Cultural Assets Projects
"When our archaeological excavation began, we anticipated a rich discovery of archaeological material, both in terms of data and in encountering the palace. We expect a significant surprise in terms of urban history."

Huseyin Gazi Cosan, director of Istanbul Municipality's Tourism Division, hopes that Istanbul, with its 8,500-year history, will attract more tourists with its rich cultural relics.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): HUSEYIN GAZI COSAN, Director of Istanbul Municipality's Tourism Division
"As the tourism branch directorate, we are actively promoting these historical sites abroad, considering them to be our key products. Archaeological sites play a crucial role in attracting high-quality tourists."

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