The major earthquake which struck parts of Turkey and Syria on Monday has also inflicted significant damage to historic sites in both countries, including medieval castles and mosques. The earthquake, which had a 7.8 magnitude, has left at least 7,900 people dead and is a major humanitarian crisis.
Various news agencies and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have also reported that historic sites have been damaged, but specific details of the extent of the destruction are still unknown. In a statement, UNESCO notes “the collapse of several buildings in the city of Diyarbakır, home to the World Heritage site “Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape”, an important centre of the Roman, Sassanid, Byzantine, Islamic and Ottoman periods. Other sites on the World Heritage List not far from the epicentre could be affected, such as Göbekli Tepe, Nemrut Dağ and Tell of Arslantepe. But so far UNESCO has not received any reports that any of the World Heritage sites have been affected.”
Gaziantep Castle, a major fortification dating back to antiquity and rebuilt on several occasions during the Middle Ages, was severely damaged. According to NPR, Turkish officials have stated:
Some of the bastions in the east, south and south-east parts of the historical Gaziantep Castle in the central Şahinbey district were destroyed by the earthquake; the debris was scattered on the road. The iron railings around the court were scattered on the surrounding sidewalks. The retaining wall next to the castle also collapsed. In some bastions, large cracks were observed after the earthquake.
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The Turkish branch of Voice of America has uploaded this video showing the damage to Gaziantep Castle:
In Syria, the earthquake has also damaged the historic Citadel of Aleppo. According to UNESCO, “Significant damage has been noted in the citadel. The western tower of the old city wall has collapsed and several buildings in the souks have been weakened.”
The Middle East Eye also reports the Margat Castle, a crusader-era fortification located in northwestern Syria, saw some of its circular towers collapse.
The statement from UNESCO notes they are “mobilizing its experts, in conjunction with its partners such as ICOMOS, to establish a precise inventory of the damage, if there is any, to safeguard these sites with the cooperation of national authorities, while being aware that their priority at this stage is emergency disaster, rescue and relief.”
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🇸🇾The minaret of the Great Mosque of al-Ghazi, the observation tower, the walls of the fortress in the citadel of Aleppo (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) were damaged by the earthquake. pic.twitter.com/bNlQoxaIib
The major earthquake which struck parts of Turkey and Syria on Monday has also inflicted significant damage to historic sites in both countries, including medieval castles and mosques. The earthquake, which had a 7.8 magnitude, has left at least 7,900 people dead and is a major humanitarian crisis.
Various news agencies and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have also reported that historic sites have been damaged, but specific details of the extent of the destruction are still unknown. In a statement, UNESCO notes “the collapse of several buildings in the city of Diyarbakır, home to the World Heritage site “Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape”, an important centre of the Roman, Sassanid, Byzantine, Islamic and Ottoman periods. Other sites on the World Heritage List not far from the epicentre could be affected, such as Göbekli Tepe, Nemrut Dağ and Tell of Arslantepe. But so far UNESCO has not received any reports that any of the World Heritage sites have been affected.”
Gaziantep Castle, a major fortification dating back to antiquity and rebuilt on several occasions during the Middle Ages, was severely damaged. According to NPR, Turkish officials have stated:
Some of the bastions in the east, south and south-east parts of the historical Gaziantep Castle in the central Şahinbey district were destroyed by the earthquake; the debris was scattered on the road. The iron railings around the court were scattered on the surrounding sidewalks. The retaining wall next to the castle also collapsed. In some bastions, large cracks were observed after the earthquake.
The Turkish branch of Voice of America has uploaded this video showing the damage to Gaziantep Castle:
In Syria, the earthquake has also damaged the historic Citadel of Aleppo. According to UNESCO, “Significant damage has been noted in the citadel. The western tower of the old city wall has collapsed and several buildings in the souks have been weakened.”
The Middle East Eye also reports the Margat Castle, a crusader-era fortification located in northwestern Syria, saw some of its circular towers collapse.
The statement from UNESCO notes they are “mobilizing its experts, in conjunction with its partners such as ICOMOS, to establish a precise inventory of the damage, if there is any, to safeguard these sites with the cooperation of national authorities, while being aware that their priority at this stage is emergency disaster, rescue and relief.”
Top Image: The wreckage of a collapsed building, Diyarbakır, Turkey. Photo from Voice of America
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