ISTANBUL - A United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) delegation consisting of World Heritage Centre officials made inspections in historical sites in Istanbul on Saturday.
World Heritage Centre North America and Europe Chief Mechtild Rossler along with member Junaid Sorosh Wali and International Council on Monuments and Sites official David Michelmore visited the Sulukule district and the historical buildings in Balat and Zeyrek districts and received briefing on restoration works.
Turkish officials said the delegation was pleased with the restoration works in these sites but noted that they expressed concern over the dispersion of residents of Sulukule due to renovation works.
The delegation also visited the Archeology Park in Sultanahmet and the construction site of Four Season Hotel in this area. Reporters were not allowed to follow these inspections.
The delegation also made inspections in the railway construction over the Golden Horn and Marmaray undersea railway excavation site in Yenikapi.
The delegation asked the legs of the railway bridge over golden horn to be constructed in a way that would not obstruct the view of the Suleymaniye mosque.
Unesco delegation will announce the results of their inspections and observations at a press conference with the participation of World Heritage Centre President Francesco Bandarin on May 12th.
(OZG-BRC)