895

METHODS OF RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF STONE IN THE NATIONAL

CULTURAL HERITAGE IN CARE OF THE TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND
DOCUMENTS CONNECTED

YOCEL, IHSAN
Milli Saraylar Daire Baskanligi, Dolmabahye Sarayi, 80690 Besiktas-lstanbul, Turkey

FOREWORD
Historical monuments help us to appreciate the cultural heritage of the area and also reflect their
architectural worth. For this reason they should be preserved for the next generations. The historical
development of a nation can be seen in the artistic works created by them.
In the following lines we will explain our national heritage from the past to the present and also
stone conservation and related documents.

1. THE AIM OF CONSERVATION

The conservation of our cultural heritage is important as enabling us to transfer it to future

generations. The aim of conservation of individual buildings is to hinder deterioration and change in
these works.
Our cultural heritage has been the responsibility of the Turkish National Assembly since the
proclamation of the Republic in 1923.

2. THE CHRONOLOGY OF OUR NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE

The classical concept of the Ottoman Palace as illustrated by Topkapi Palace, greatly changed after
the 19th century Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace and <;iragan Palace were planned and built
the third Ottoman Palace, Dolmabahc;e, was constructed between the dates 1843-1856 by Sultan
AbdUlmecid (1839-1861) and reflects cultural and social changes of the area and also the radical
change of organisation at the Palace.

3. THE BUILDING

Dolmabahac;e Palace and ist complex reflect a new understanding in the neo-Baroque, neo-Rococo
and Empire styles wich reflect the architectural style of European Palaces.
Nevertheless, the idea of Turkish traditional architecture can be seen in the plan of this Palace. With
a new concept in the main building the Mabeyn-i HUmayun and Harem-i HUmayun are connected
under the same roof, joined of Muayede the (Ceremonial Hall) in the middle. The Veliahd Dairesi
which has been separated by high walls, looks as if it is an annex to the main building. The
combination of the characteristics of the Turkish house with European understanding has created this
building, which contains 285 rooms, 43 halls, 6 balconies and six baths which have been built on an
area of 14.595 sq meters.
The main body of the Palace which was built with stone and marble outside and brick inside is on oak
piles. The floors and roof construction covered with lead are made of wood.

4. THE STONE MATERIAL ON THE FRONT SEA FACADE

The stone and the marble cladding, both plain and decorative of the facade of the building is in Neo
Classical style, Neo Baroque and Empire. This style of ornament on the facade can be seen in the
inside rooms and halls. On the facade decorations of the Dolmabahc;e Palace include reliefs made of
stone and marbles brought from Europe, the stone varieties are: marbles of Ferrara, Karamursel tuft,
Marmara prokonnesos, stone of Malta, Trieste, Marseille and Istanbul Haznedar, Bakirkoy and Sile
 896

gre (clayed calcer). All of these are limestones, Statues and decorations are made of the marble
brought from Italy.

5. DOCUMENTATION ON STONE REPAIRS IN THE 1900s

Sultan Abdi.ilhamid who was preigning before Sultan Mehmed Resad (1909-1918) had transferred
the administrative centre to Yildiz Palace because of security problems at Dolmabahye. During his
reign of 33 years, except for ceromonial occasions the Palace was left unused.
When Sultan Mehmed Resad preferred Dolmabahc;e Palace as an administrative center, expensive
restoration was required . It is reported in the archivies of the National Palaces that there had been
some restorations to various buildings, especially to Dolmabahye Palace by the architect Vedat Tek.
There were such interesting documents with respect to importance of conservation that use. We
would like to give some examples of the work of the stone restoration carried out by Vedat Tek, from
the archivies of National Palaces.

1. These had been used in the facade of the Dolmabahye Palace, in the balconies on the steps of the
entrance and on the clocktower was Moscow stone, Marseilles stone, and marble from Marmara
island.
2. For repair to Yildiz Palace Hungarian and French stones had been used.
3. When we researched the archive documents it was seen that care was taken to use original stones
for the stone restoration.

In the 1900s, in the conservation of our National Heritage, restoration was carried out using original
materials.

6. STONE CONSERVATION TODAY

The conservation of the valuable monuments of the nation is carried out with the cooperation of
restorers, architects and art historians. We try to apply our programme on the restoration of the
National Palaces according to the international standards. For this purpose, from 1984 our specialists
have attended conservations training programs in several European countries with our specialists and
followed the progress in this area.
6.1 Preliminary Studies
Before starting stone restoration the cause of the deterioration has been technically examined. The
damage on the sea facade of Dolmabahc;e Palace has been caused by various factors.
6.1.2 Physical Factors
There is strong humidity because of the sea fill site. On the walls of the basement floor, the Malta
stones has been humidified particularly badly affected.
6.1.3 Chemical Factors
Because of the strong southwest wind in the Marmara Sea, stone on the front facade has swelled,
leading to cracking and breaking. At the same time harmful gases emitted by coal fired ships and
motor vehicles have cause doxidization and acid rain which has damaged the stone.
6.1 .4 Biological Factors
The monument is surrounded by century old trees and plants in the historical gardens. As a result,
lichens and moses have accumulated on the facade .

6.2 Preliminary Works before Restoration

Documentations and diagnosis are important steps in the conservation of monuments. The history
of our National heritage, Dolmabahc;e Palace, artistic particularities of the period in which the
monument was built, construction, technique of the building, the structure and laboratory tests have
been carefully studied. For example it has been noticed that there are white paint layers on the stones
 897

of the seaward facade of the Ceremonial Hall. Samples taken have been sent to Istanbul Restoration
and Conservation Center laboratory and have been closely examined by specialists. After analysis it
was found that the stone is KaramUrsel tuff and clayed calcer. On the stone facade there has been
found a layer of dirt and 3 layers of different paints. In the analysis of salt, there has been found a
small amount of chloride (Cl ) and 504 in a large qantities.
According to these results, stones which were formerly unpainted had acquired a black crust
because of the weather and environmental conditions and were painted in various times. It seems
that the (Cl) came from the sea. 504 is the result of air pollution or repair materials mixed with
cement. The cause of the erosion on the facade is the crystalization of the sulphate salts.
In 1955, layer of paint on the stone of the seaward facade was removed by mechanical means, so
damaging the patina.

6.3 Preparations of the Restoration Project

The damage on the facade can be shown on the elevation drawing and seen in photographs. There
should be colour and scale cards on the photoes. To stop damage to the stones, conservation
methods should be applied for structural problems.

Consolidation
Cleaning
Conservation

At the National Palaces, great care is taken to carry out restoration of the stone on a scientific and
technical basis. The methods of application and the techniques have been progressing.
Unfortunately, it seems impossible to have a practical and theoretical ways which will guard the
materials from being damaged. Research is underway into how to protect the marble and stone of our
national monuments.

6.4.1 Consolidation
To consolidate the original of the monuments, the technological means and materials are being
constantly evaluated. It has been done by means of supporting the damaged layers so not to injure
the non damaged parts. Inorganic materials ones last longer than the organic. But they are less
elastic and can be easily broken
If it is essential we can use acrylic resin, epoxy etc. The materials which are used should be
removabl , stabilizetion the cleaning process and allow the stone to breathe.

6.4.2 Cleaning
We aim to clean facade stones of our National Heritage building of dirt, black crust and lichens,
soot, bird droppings and microorganisms. We should be careful for the surface lifting. The method
should differ according to the nature of the black crust, the facade, and lab analysis. The methods
are the following:

a) Cleaning with water

b) Cleaning with atomized water
c) Cleaning with low pressure water
d) Absorbant clay, paper pulp and jells (atapultige and sepiolitex and AB 57 method)

6.4.3 Conservation
If necessary acrylic resin shall be used for protection. We should apply, removable material on the
facade and preserve the original appearance. On the sea facade the stones were places by artificial
stones in repairs carried out up to 1979, so altering the original colour and texture. In other places the
clayed calcer has been replaced by tuff.
 898

6.5 Precautions

6.5.1
In the damaged parts of the roof of the Palace, the rain water drainage system has been
improved.
6.5.2
Finishing the sewerage projects quickly we should ensure that this system works properly.
6.5.3
The humidity problems on the walls must be solved by means of air vents.
6.5.4
In order to control alterations at the base of the Palace walls, there must be efficient systems for
draining off the rain water.

CONCLUSION

While working on the conservation of the marble and stone at our National Palaces which are a part
our National Cultural Heritage, the above precautions must be taken. There has been a coordination
between universities and the Istanbul Restoration and Conservation Laboratory. We are working on
the above project in our department, and also we are interested in developing, coordination with
international association like ICOM, ICOMOS, ICCROM for personal and technical knowledge
exchange.
 DOCUMENTS

PHOTOGRAPS

Document 1/1396 Moscow and Marseille stones in Dolmabahye Palace restoration.

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Flait surfaces and the ornamental parts on the stone facade of the Dolmabahye Palace.

Register no. 23 14 p. 41 The restoration of Dolmabahi;:e sea front stones exchanged

wi th Ita lian marble.
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Detail of the facade of Dolmabah9e Palace.

TI1e samples of stone deterioration with biological factors in the facade of Dolmabah9e Palace.

The samples of stone deterioration

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Dolmabah~e Palace. Chambers of Inner Treasury. A detail from the stone facade which was
fo1merly painted.

Th : facade oi stones which was painted in Dolmabah~e Palace. Chambers of Inner Treasury.
902

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The stone deterioration on the facade.

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The stone workshop in Dolmabahqe Palace.

Remade pieces to be used in porte where consolidation couldn°t be done.