The twist of fate: Antakya must once again rise from the ashes

“At its best, preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future.” - William Murtagh

When I read the story of Mehmet Ismet, a resident living among the ruins of Antakya’s most beloved historic mosque for weeks, praying under the few arches still standing, I felt a tightness in my chest. He is one of many, mourning their city renowned for its rich past that now lies in ruins, unwilling to move. Left behind are thousands who have lost everything along with the ancient city.

The powerful earthquakes that struck Eastern Turkey and Syria over an area of 450 km, not only destroyed homes and turned millions of lives upside down, but also devastated the region’s important historical sites and structures. Landmarks of cultural and religious significance that stood throughout ancient history were damaged across the region. Still, among all the cities hit by the earthquake, Antakya, the center of Hatay province, with its unique historical fabric now complete rubble, is the worst hit.

Almost all the invaluable symbols of its Christian and Muslim heritage were wiped out and so were the traces of its cultural heritage… The demolition of Habib-i Najjar, the first mosque of Anatolia housing the tombs of the three apostles of Jesus; the Long Bazaar located on the historic Silk Road; Herod Street, the world’s first illuminated street and the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Paul, the oldest Christian place of worship after Jerusalem, are among the city's most significant losses.

Nor is this all. The centuries-old Jewish Synagogue; Hatay's third-oldest church Arsuz Mar Yuhanna Greek Orthodox Church; and the Catholic and Protestant Churches were all damaged. An old timber building housing the popular Affan Coffee is no longer.

Once home to numerous civilizations

Known as Antioch in ancient times, Antakya dates back to 300 B.C. Founded by a former general of Alexander the Great, the city was one of the most prominent trade hubs while variously home to civilizations peopled by Greeks, Romans, Persians, Arabs, Byzantines, Crusaders, and Ottomans, amongst others, throughout history. Dubbed "the cradle of Christianity" due to its vital role in the emergence of the new religion, Antakya was where the name "Christian" was first used according to the New Testament. St.Paul, St.Peter, and Barnabas are said to have preached to the early Christians in a cave at the foot of Mount Staurius close to the city, today known as St.Peter’s Church, or St.Peter’s Grotto. During the Byzantine period, five patriarchates were established: in Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem.

Due to its strategic location and its temperate climate Antakya has always been such an attractive city that the city's population hit half a million during the 1st century, before the rise of Jesus. Once the Roman Empire’s third-largest city, Antakya was a culturally diverse center of worship for Muslims, Jews and Christians, and its landmarks held traces of this rich past, serving as a timeless reminder of its vibrant cultural diversity.

A city reborn through the ages

In fact, earthquakes and wars have repeatedly destroyed the city over the course of its history. The modern city was built upon the ruins of multiple, long-gone civilizations and managed to rise from its ashes. Although it has withstood the rise and fall of civilizations for 2,400 years, the city is now facing the challenge of being rebuilt and restored yet again, a process that demands the utmost care. Despite all fears that its unique historical identity may never be fully restored, previous proven examples of restoration in similar historical areas of the world can light our way.

Take the Colosseum; one of the most renowned structures of the Roman Empire, dating back to the 1st century, the Colosseum suffered significant damage after the 5.9 magnitude earthquake of 1349. However, it was restored to its present state as a popular tourist destination today. The Dresden Frauenkirche, dating back to the 11th century, in Germany, was heavily bombed during the Second World War and was restored after Germany's reunification.

The Habib-i Najjar Mosque, dating back to the 13th century, was first built as a church, then turned into a mosque, and then back into a church. Lastly, it was rebuilt by the Ottoman Empire as a mosque in the 1800s after an earthquake. Another destroyed place of worship, Antakya’s Greek Orthodox Church, which was the seat of the Greek Orthodox patriarch up until the 14th century, was leveled in an 1872 earthquake and rebuilt.

Throughout world history, humanity has made great efforts to restore these structures despite being perennial. Now it is time to follow suit for Antakya. While the cultures of several empires lie beneath the debris, every collapsed structure should be examined individually. All in all, it is not rubble, but thousands of years of history. Even a single fallen stone is of the utmost importance.

Documentation is the key to restoration

The restorations must ensure the preservation of the soul of the buildings in order to protect their heritage value. Taking this fact into account, the restoration process should be handled holistically by all stakeholders together, such as archeologists, architects, engineers, designers, and historians, along with politicians, to discuss the importance and value of these treasures. Once projects have taken shape, local citizens should be introduced to the plans and encouraged to give their opinions and take part in the resurrection of their own city.

As per the experts, a sociological and architectural assessment of damaged historical buildings in the city and their seismic hazards based on past intensities and vulnerabilities is a good start.

The demolition also tells us about the anatomy of buildings at the same time, so it is vital to document every single stone among the rubble with on-site sketches, exterior, interior, and detail photographs and videos. Then, the data obtained from the field and archives should be pooled, and decision-makers, conservation experts, and local initiatives should work together for short and long-term planning, conservation projects, and implementations.

Since extant historical buildings are the most tangible legacy of our past, the restorers of damaged buildings must somehow attempt to preserve their essence as well as their architectural and informative character. The original remains in the rubble should be prioritized during rebuilding instead of resorting to modern materials. Otherwise, inauthentic restoration may lead to the loss of identity.

While restoring these ancient structures, we must make them earthquake-resistant too. The Museum Hotel, which is widely recognised as the rebirth of an archaeological marvel, is a recent construction and a solid example of an earthquake-resistant modern building. Over 30,000 archaeological artifacts uncovered on the foundation site were saved and restored and constitute an amazing sight beneath the ground floor made of glass. The building did not suffer a single crack during the earthquake, neither did the ancient mosaics below. 

Unlocking Antakya’s potential

Now while the city is being restored, we should avoid building unharmonious, concrete, high-rise buildings that lack spirit, particularly in the newer parts of the city. A careful transition to horizontal architecture should be implemented during the city's reconstruction keeping the interests of citizens, including the likes of green areas, in mind. Already, citizens are fighting to preserve Antakya’s agricultural areas and green fields. The local government is struggling to deal with the endless tons of rubble, desperate to find suitable areas for dumping. 

Being home to thousands of years of civilization, the city’s future depends on its huge economic potential; iconic locations like the hamam and the Long Bazaar, should be reimagined in order to maximise this.

The city’s potential extends beyond its cultural history; it also provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature. If you are an individual who enjoys cycling and trekking like myself, Antakya is an excellent destination to explore, thanks to its stunning natural landscapes, picturesque routes and archaeological sites such as the ruins of the 6th-century monastery of Symeon the Stylite the Younger in Samandağ, a pilgrimage site. St.Symeon lived out his long ascetic life sitting on top of a column. I look forward to visiting the city and experiencing its rich culture and natural beauty once it has recovered from this tragedy.

Responsibility on our shoulders

History makes up a big part of what we have today. Understanding the past is essential for accurately relaying it, but so is safeguarding it. The past should be considered as a foundation upon which to build a better tomorrow. Preserving it allows us to keep our collective identity, encouraging cultural variety at the same time, and to generate social cohesion, leading to the development of society. 

As we heal our wounds and strive to overcome this tragedy that has shocked us all so deeply, we should now look to seize the opportunity to rebuild Antakya, essentially shaping it into a city deeply rooted in its colourful culture and stronger than before; to position it as one of the top cultural spots in the world. It is crucial that all stakeholders come together and conduct a comprehensive assessment to restore the soul of Antakya and revive its vibrant past. Each and every one of us should take responsibility in this task, whichever way we may, even if it is only by raising awareness.

Remember, what the earthquake has left in its disastrous trail is not just rubble; it's HISTORY.