Our Historical Artifacts in World War 2
In recent years, we have often heard the statements about mosques being closed in the 1940s. So why were the mosques closed?
70-85 million people lost their lives during the 2nd World War. Turkey remained neutral, despite all the pressure from the European countries. However, precautions have been taken against any possible war situation. Today, we do not know much about the measures taken back in 1940s. Those who drived through the Thracian territory in North-western Turkey might have seen “Korugan” structures, which are kind of military shelters. They are located all over the region near to Bulgarian or Greek border from Büyükçekmece to Edirne to Çanakkale, and defense lines have been established in different regions for a possible war situation.
However, another precaution that most of us do not know had been taken for the protection of cultural assets. When the European capitals were bombed and cultural heritage was lost forever, local heritage experts understood that certain measures have to be fort he protection of priceless assets.
Since attacking religious sites and hospitals is considered a war crime, especially portable artifacts, including the sacred relics found in Istanbul museums, were taken to mosques in Niğde, as Anatolia is considered to be safer than Istanbul. This was the reason, for he mosques with artifacts to remain closed for prayers for about 4 years.
The measures for protecting the ancient artefacts were also taken inside the Istanbul Archeological Museum. (Photographs can be seen bellow.) Portable artifacts were sent to Niğde in chests, but the sarcophagi, sculptures, and other essential elements of the museum were also protected. In order to assure their safety during any possible bombardment, the sarcophagi are protected with timber case reinforces with sandbags placed inside and outside the timber frame.
Sculptures and showcases located on the upper floors were also fragile. So the entire floor was covered with approximately 15 cm thick sand to minimize possible damage in case of overturning. All showcases and building’s windows are double-sided to prevent them from breaking in possible distant bombing shocks.
Are there any museum directors or administrators who can think so delicately for cultural assets at risk in a world order where values are rapidly changing? Did this world order, which enables us to reach all kinds of information instantly, also taught us to process and synthesize this information in order to design the simplest but most effective solution?
