by Jon Lackman | 9 November 2010 | Architecture
Need a dissertation topic? Turkish journalist Kayber Avc? writes on the forgotten and crumbling yet beautiful “cisterns of Mu?la“:
Cisterns whose construction was sponsored by Kanuni Sultan Süleyman (Suleiman the Magnificent) to supply water for his army on a military campaign against Rhodes in 1520 are today trying to survive the destructive effects of time. Although these 490-year-old works were built by Mimar Sinan, they are unfortunately not referenced in history or art books … Professor Nam?k Aç?kgöz from Mu?la University … is conducting research on the cisterns … The cisterns are not only important in historical or architectural terms but are also an invaluable aid from a geographical perspective as they help identify old transportation routes. Unfortunately, they suffer from efforts to give them a uniform appearance via plastering and painting. Today, many of the cisterns are out of use. However, those standing atop mountains sing a heart-rending song of loneliness to shepherds, animals, insects and plants. Their loneliness is made worse by the fact that art historians seem to have forgotten all about them.
Avc? has also written “Mu?la’s historic doorknockers struggle against technology,” “300-year-old silk weaving tradition continues in Mu?la,” and “Camel wrestling contest attracts thousands of spectators.” (Check out the textiles on those camels.)
