Fortifications are fascinating landmarks, being enduring witnesses to centuries of history and culture in the Eastern Mediterranean. Their survival reflects the strategic choices of their patrons and builders as well as the defensive efforts to protect societies and local communities during times of insecurity. The Ottoman Empire, through its long history, used fortifications to project power, exercise control as well as to protect its interests and its people. Although the Ottomans built few fortresses from the ground in the Eastern Mediterranean regions such as the Peloponnese, Cyprus, Crete, and Anatolian shores, they proved to be particularly adaptive in the reuse and appropriation of previous works, built by the Byzantine, Frankish and Venetian rulers of the region. Ottoman authorities followed the long traditions of reuse in military architecture, which were common practice since antiquity. In this framework, Ottomans integrated existing works into their administrative and military systems, maintaining, and adapting them according to their needs and strategies. Much like the Byzantines, who approached fortresses with the mindset of theia oikonomia (emphasizing practicality and spiritual significance), the Ottomans maintained these structures as practical, living spaces suited to their own strategic needs. Their adaptations—through repairs, restorations, and modifications—ensured that these fortresses and fortification works protecting towns and cities remained functional and relevant. Unlike modern attitudes that often seek to preserve such sites as “museums of the past,” the Ottomans understood and utilized these fortresses differently, as active spaces serving contemporary purposes.

This workshop is designed to explore aspects of Ottoman attitudes and practices in the reuse, restoration and adaptation of fortifications in the making of fortresses and fortified towns. Workshop presentations draw from historical, archaeological and archival sources, with a particular focus on keşif defterleri—“architectural inspection records” — which provide invaluable details about the repairs, materials, costs, and administrative oversight involved. These records, however, pose challenges in the study of their terminology and architectural descriptions, thus calling for interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative study towards a more holistic understanding of their .

The workshop aims to bridge the gap between history, architecture and reuse, addressing key questions:

The event will include focused presentations, discussions, and a site visit to Nicosia’s Walled City, where participants will engage the historical and material complexity of the famous Venetian fortifications which remain the most iconic monument and a point of reference for locals and visitors to the Cypriot capital. By combining archival research with architectural analysis, the workshop will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, offering fresh insights into how Ottoman fortresses were maintained, adapted, preserved and neglected over time—efforts that have ensured their survival to this day.

Speakers

Elias Kolovos
Research Director, Institute of Historical Research, National Hellenic Research Foundation
Elias Kolovos specializes in the social and economic history of the Ottoman Empire, with a focus on the Mediterranean and Aegean world, Ottoman documents and archives.

Mohammed Panahi
Assistant Professor of Ottoman History, Department of History, Archaeology, and Anthropology, University of Thessaly (IAKA)
Mohammed Panahi is an expert on the Ottoman history and Ottoman archival sources.

Xeni Simou
Architect and Recent PhD Graduate, School of Architecture, University of Patras
Xeni Simou’s research centers on the architectural styles of Ottoman fortresses in the Peloponnese during the 16th and 17th centuries. Her work combines architectural analysis with historical documentation to uncover Ottoman contributions on these structures.

Yusuf Burak Dolu
Architect and Restoration Specialist, Koop Mimarlık, Istanbul
Yusuf Burak Dolu led the restoration project of Seddülbahir Castle in Çanakkale. His innovative approach emphasized preserving the integrity of the remnants through abstract reconstruction rather than full-scale restitution, balancing modern techniques with historical authenticity.

Nikolas Bakirtzis
Professor and Director, STARC, Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC), The Cyprus Institute
Nikolas Bakirtzis specializes in the study and preservation of medieval and early modern fortifications in the Eastern Mediterranean. His work bridges archaeology, architecture, and cultural heritage, with a focus on interdisciplinary methods and site-based research.

Dilek Özkan Pantazis
Postdoctoral Researcher, Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC), The Cyprus Institute
Dilek Özkan Pantazis is a historian focusing on Ottoman fortresses in the Eastern Mediterranean. Her research examines daily life practices in the Ottoman fortresses in the Eastern Mediterranean. She is leading the EU-funded SEABORD project under the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, exploring the intersections of history, architecture, and cultural heritage.