Resumen:
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Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 as a part of the Old City of Istanbul. The site’s Outstanding Universal Value ‘resides in its unique integration of architectural masterpieces that reflect the meeting of Europe and Asia over many centuries, and in its incomparable skyline formed by the creative genius of Byzantine and Ottoman architects’ (UNESCO 2013). However, a simple taxonomic classification of Hagia Sophia as a museum or an architectural masterpiece that aesthetically tells the story of the city’s multilayered, cross-cultural past, falls short of providing answers that relate to its religious history and how those relationships with the building have shifted over time. Hagia Sophia is more than just a fossilized site boasting some of the finest examples of Byzantine and Islamic art and architecture; instead, it carries with it a sense of place that is related to people’s sense of identity. Although the building now serves a secular function, it is still imbued with a spiritual heritage seen by many Muslims and Christians who recognize this building as part of their religious histories. Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum in 1935 following the secularization of Turkey. Since then, the management approach towards Hagia Sophia has fit into the framework of what is termed the Authorized Heritage Discourse, disregarding any ascribed sacred values that many still attribute to the site. However, Hagia Sophia is continuously imbued with value and meanings, which I argue, make it a site of Living Heritage as defined by ICCROM, presenting a unique challenge for heritage managers. With a history so integral to two religions, we must consider the ways in which this structure is being managed and the implications that has on the communities with whom it resonates. This paper will examine the history of Hagia Sophia, focusing on how the building’s symbolism and function is called into question, and certain managerial decisions that emphasize the disjuncture between managing the building as a museum and as a religious space, de-emphasizing the building’s role as either or. I will then argue that Hagia Sophia should be considered living heritage yet I contend that the current methods in place for managing living heritage do not adequately address the issues present at Hagia Sophia. By tracing the problem areas within the current management systems, this presentation suggests a potential solution to managing the needs of Hagia Sophia.
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