‘Demolished parts were harming Galata Tower,’ says Turkey’s Culture Minister

Minister of Culture and Tourism Aksoy has made a statement about the “restoration” works undertaken in İstanbul’s iconic Galata Tower. He has denied the allegations that “the walls of the tower were demolished” with hammer drills.

İstanbul

‘Demolished parts were harming Galata Tower,’ says Turkey’s Culture Minister

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Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has shared a brief message about the damage done to İstanbul's iconic Galata Tower in Beyoğlu during "restoration" works undertaken with hammer drills.

Minister Ersoy has argued that the allegations of "Galata Tower's walls are being demolished" are unfounded.

Earlier yesterday (August 12), İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality's (İMM) Head of Cultural Assets Department Mahir Polat shared a video on his Twitter account. The video was featuring how the interior walls of the historical building were being demolished with a hammer drill.

The tower was handed over from the İMM to the Directorate General of Foundations after the local elections on March 31, 2019. The tower is now being restored on the initiative of Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

CLICK - Demolition in Galata Tower in the name of restoration

Minister Ersoy has said on Twitter:

"The allegations of 'Galata Tower's walls are being demolished' are unfounded. The demolished parts were constructed at a later date and they were harming the Galata Tower. The necessary sanctions will be imposed on the firm over the methods that they use in restoring the tower." (EKN/SD)