Latest news with #landmarks
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
More than 2 dozen Unesco World Heritage sites added to list
Do you know how many Unesco World Heritage sites there are in the world? The answer is now 1,248 landmarks, spanning across more than 170 countries after recent additions to the list. Unesco added multiple sites during July, with Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle arguably the most well-known of the new properties. The fairy-tale castle inspired Walt Disney's creation of Sleeping Beauty's palace.
Washington Post
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Saving Istanbul's ancient structures from the next big earthquake
Efforts to protect the city's landmarks may not be enough when the next big earthquake strikes. Istanbul is where East meets West, where history and modernity collide. The city was also built along one of the world's most active fault lines. In the next 30 years, geophysicists predict Istanbul has a 40 to 60 percent chance of a major earthquake, which could imperil its ancient architecture. There are roughly 40,000 historical sites in Istanbul that need to be protected from earthquakes; in addition, thousands of residential buildings are condemned or at high risk. Up to 700,000 people could die if a major earthquake strikes the city, according to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. But preserving and reinforcing these buildings has been impeded by the split between the Republican People's Party (CHP)-led opposition, which controls Istanbul's city government, and the central government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP). 'Devastating earthquakes have happened in this region before, and they will happen again. The question is when, not if,' said Wendy Bohon, a geologist. 'We can't stop earthquakes from happening, but we can dramatically improve the outcome of these earthquakes through planning and mitigation. 'The clock is ticking, and the time to act is now.' Map depicting the tectonic plates over the Mediterranean region Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE Ankara Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE Ankara Damascus Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Istanbul Rome Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul Rome Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul Rome Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE AFRICAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul Rome Athens Ankara AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Map transition, showing directional forces of the Anatolian plate Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE Feb. 2023 earthquakes Ankara Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Damascus Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE AFRICAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Athens Ankara AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo The Anatolian plate, which encompasses almost the entire country of Turkey, is squeezed between the African, Arabian and Eurasian plates. 'Eventually, the plate will crack under the increasing pressure and lurch westward,' said Thomas Parsons, a research geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey. That pressure triggered the February 2023 earthquakes in the region, which killed nearly 54,000 people in Turkey. The Anatolian fault line has produced many major earthquakes since 1900, but a 70-mile stretch — located 10 miles from Istanbul — remains dormant. It is this part of the fault line that worries experts. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Turkish authorities have taken some steps to protect the buildings that are most at risk. But fully fortifying them comes at a huge cost. The Washington Post studied three examples from minimal to maximum intervention: The Hagia Sophia has seen the least amount of mitigation efforts because of historic preservation laws. The Basilica Cistern has been strengthened using several conventional methods. And lastly, there's the privately owned Cinili Hamam, which has been extensively reinforced all the way down to its foundation. A scale diagram of the large Hagia Sophia, smaller Çinili Hamam, and underground Basilica Cistern HAGIA SOPHIA CINILI HAMAM BASILICA CISTERN 100 FEET HAGIA SOPHIA CINILI HAMAM BASILICA CISTERN 100 FEET HAGIA SOPHIA CINILI HAMAM BASILICA CISTERN 100 FEET HAGIA SOPHIA CINILI HAMAM BASILICA CISTERN 100 FEET Hagia Sophia The Hagia Sophia, which was built as a cathedral in the 6th century and is now a mosque, has been standing for almost 1,500 years. Constructed with intersecting stone, brick and mortar, the structure can absorb some seismic shock. The exterior of the Hagia Sophia, a classic example of Justinian architecture in Istanbul. To withstand a major earthquake, however, it needs 'seismic isolators or base isolators,' said Oguz Cem Celik, a professor in the architecture department at the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) who studies earthquakes. But installing them would require lifting the entire building and placing it on moving, shock-absorbing devices that reduce the amount of energy that moves through the structure, similar to what Japan has done for many new and old buildings, Celik said. 'It is too big of an intervention,' Celik said, adding that such work is difficult because it's very expensive and restricted by historic preservation rules. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Restoration of religious structures such as the Hagia Sophia is overseen by the Directorate General of Foundations, which is part of the central government. This means even minor preservation efforts can create tension between the central government and city officials in Istanbul. Earlier this year, the central government launched some of the things that can be done to reinforce the Hagia Sophia. Workers began replacing the lead coatings on the domes, upgrading the steel framework and reinforcing the exterior to protect the ancient mosaics on the inside. Previously, central government and city officials have taken different approaches to renovation and restoration work in Istanbul. In 2020, the AKP-controlled central government took over restoration of the Galata Tower from the city; the municipality later accused it of mismanagement. The interior of the Hagia Sophia, which was built as a church, then converted into a mosque by the Ottomans, then turned into a museum during the republic and back into a mosque by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Hagia Sophia was the principal mosque of Istanbul from 1453 to 1616. Most of the buttresses were added by Mimar Sinan in the Ottoman era. The upper gallery is where tourists visit to see mosaics, and the lower gallery is used as a mosque. LEFT: The Hagia Sophia was the principal mosque of Istanbul from 1453 to 1616. Most of the buttresses were added by Mimar Sinan in the Ottoman era. RIGHT: The upper gallery is where tourists visit to see mosaics, and the lower gallery is used as a mosque. 'There are 36,000 historical buildings in Istanbul,' said Mahir Polat, the cultural head of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. 'Those that we do try to protect, we want to do it as a model for the rest of Turkey.' (Polat was recently placed under house arrest as part of a broader crackdown on figures close to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of Erdogan. The Post interviewed him before his detention.) 'We want to preserve this place forever,' Polat said. Basilica Cistern The Basilica Cistern, the largest ancient cistern beneath the city, is held up by more than 330 massive columns and was built in the 6th century. Some of these columns come from older Roman structures. To help protect this architectural marvel, the local Istanbul municipality lowered water levels to reduce the weight on the columns and removed excess concrete from the roof and arches, Polat said. People visit the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. Graphic outlining the platform and water level in the cistern Viewing platform Water level Viewing platform Water level Viewing platform Water level Between 2020 and 2022, the municipality also installed a steel system at the cistern, adding 630 bearings to reinforce the columns. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement The Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century. Annotation of the steel system Steel system steel system Steel system But experts say it's not enough. The government needs to 'use more advanced technology to retrofit the structure,' said Celik, the ITU professor. But these steps are prohibitively expensive and run into the same political and historic preservation hurdles as the Hagia Sophia. The Istanbul municipality, an opposition municipality led by Ekrem Imamoglu and the CHP party, has undertaken restoration of many buildings, including the Basilica Cistern, since it was elected in 2019. To protect the cistern, the municipality removed the platforms that had been put in place in previous restorations, removed excess concrete from the walls and the columns, filled in cracks using injections, and supported the columns using metal ties. LEFT: The Istanbul municipality, an opposition municipality led by Ekrem Imamoglu and the CHP party, has undertaken restoration of many buildings, including the Basilica Cistern, since it was elected in 2019. RIGHT: To protect the cistern, the municipality removed the platforms that had been put in place in previous restorations, removed excess concrete from the walls and the columns, filled in cracks using injections, and supported the columns using metal ties. Cinili Hamam The Cinili Hamam, a historic bathhouse (hammam) in Istanbul, was designed by architect Mimar Sinan around 1530. Although it has gone through a series of renovations and restorations in its lifetime, the hammam's biggest intervention occurred between 2010 and 2023, when the Marmara Group, a Turkish real estate and hospitality company, acquired it and initiated a 13-year restoration. The Cinili Hamam has been restored and protected against potential earthquakes using advanced technology. The hammam was restored and then a second, modern structure was built beneath and around it to support it, said Yavuz Suyolcu, who was in charge of the bathhouse's restoration for the Marmara Group. The group worked to preserve everything from the tiles to the paintings on the wall, Suyolcu said. Lime mortar — which strengthens as it gets wet over time, unlike cement — was used in the original construction as well as for the restoration. Diagram of the excavated wells underneath Istanbul's Zeyrek Çinili Hamam NATURAL SLOPE Excavated wells NATURAL SLOPE Excavated wells NATURAL SLOPE Excavated wells Diagram of steel bands and crack repair on the Cinili Hamam Steel bands NATURAL SLOPE Crack repair Excavated wells Steel bands NATURAL SLOPE Crack repair Excavated wells Steel bands NATURAL SLOPE Crack repair Excavated wells It includes a well foundation consisting of 20 wells, each of which is 6.5 feet deep with 31-inch-thick walls. Well foundations, also known as caissons, have been used to support the hammam; the wells collect ground moisture, keeping the foundations dry. The restoration also included removing excess cement, repairing cracks in walls and domes with material used in the original construction, and replacing the ancient wooden bands around the domes with steel belts. 'If you make a reinforced concrete structure, it will deteriorate after 80 years,' Suyolcu said. 'But if you use brick and stone and bind it with a lime mortar, it will withstand 2,000 years, 3,000 years.' Exterior of the Cinili Hamam in Istanbul. The support structure was designed to stop the structure from sliding downhill during or after an earthquake or because of groundwater movement, Suyolcu said. The cost was in the 'tens of millions of euros to fix the structure,' Suyolcu said. Acquiring and restoring a classical Ottoman hammam was a long-standing desire of Bike Gursel, part of the Marmara Group. She saw it as an opportunity to diversify the company's investment portfolio and later handed over the project to her daughter, Koza Gureli Yazgan. 'We try to preserve every layer in its place,' Suyolcu said. 'So there is some kind of patchwork, old and new together, from old to older to oldest.' Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Original tiles can be seen in the Cinili Hamam.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Interactive map celebrates treasured landmarks around England's coast
An interactive map of treasured coastal landmarks has been launched online by Historic England. The public body said the tool aims to celebrate the country's vibrant seaside heritage, and people are being encouraged to share information about coastal landmarks that hold personal significance. As part of Historic England's Missing Pieces Project, people are asked to submit photos, drawings, written information or audio recordings about landmarks that hold a special place in their hearts. This could be a childhood holiday destination or a local landmark that symbolises home. The map celebrates nearly 300 years of seaside history, from elegant Victorian piers to beloved 20th century amusement parks, among destinations that welcome millions of visitors each year. Among the landmarks on the map are the Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which was built in 1923 and is the second oldest in-use rollercoaster in Britain, after the Scenic Railway at Dreamland Amusement Park in Margate, Kent. The Big Dipper is one of only 37 pre-Second World War wooden rollercoasters worldwide, of which four are at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The Pleasure Pier at Southend-on-Sea in Essex, believed to be the longest pier in the world, is also on the map. It was first constructed in 1889 with later additions and rebuilds. The art deco, lido Jubilee Pool in Penzance, Cornwall; Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland; De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex; Peasholm Park in Scarborough, North Yorkshire; and the Palace Pier in Brighton also feature. Duncan Wilson, chief executive, Historic England, said: 'Our seaside places hold a special place in our national story, yet the full richness of their heritage cannot be captured without the first-hand accounts, images and memories of those who've experienced them. 'I encourage people to contribute to the Missing Pieces Project, so we can all help ensure these treasured coastal landmarks are celebrated.' Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross, said: 'Our seaside communities play a huge role in telling our national story. 'I encourage everyone to contribute to the Missing Pieces Project to preserve the history of our coastal towns and breathe new life into their future.' To share your photos and memories of coastal landmarks, and to see the interactive map which goes live on Thursday July 17, see
The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
Britain's most iconic seaside landmarks mapped from historic theme park rollercoasters to Art Deco lidos
BRITAIN'S most iconic seaside landmarks have been revealed. Historic England has compiled an interactive map celebrating 300 years of British coastal culture. 9 9 9 They include Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Big Dipper, the Art Deco Jubilee Swimming Pool in Penzance, Cornwall, Southend-on-Sea's Pleasure Pier in Essex, and Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland. The public are being urged to submit photos, drawings, written information or audio recordings about the landmarks that hold special significance or memories to them. The Missing Pieces project includes piers, pavilions, arcades, bandstands, lidos, railway stations and lighthouses. Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross, said: "Our seaside communities play a huge role in telling our national story. "I encourage everyone to contribute to the Missing Pieces Project to preserve the history of our coastal towns and breathe new life into their future." 9 9 Duncan Wilson, chief executive, Historic England, said: 'Our seaside places hold a special place in our national story, yet the full richness of their heritage cannot be captured without the first-hand accounts, images and memories of those who've experienced them. 'I encourage people to contribute to the Missing Pieces Project, so we can all help ensure these treasured coastal landmarks are celebrated." The sites on the interactive map also include the De La Warr pavilion at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, and Peasholm Park in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. 9 9 9 9
Washington Post
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
Washington enters the stretch when each day's average high is 90
Summer has its landmarks, the days that signal significant stages in the progress of the season, and in the nation's capital, Sunday was one of them, although perhaps not as widely or eagerly observed as some. In Washington, according to National Weather Service figures, Sunday was the first day of the year with an average high temperature of 90. Three full weeks of such days follow, according to Weather Service records.
