International congress of byzantine studies belgrade, 22 27 august 2016

Alessandra Ricci
Koç University, Department of Archaeology and History of Art, Istanbul, Turkey; 
[e-mail]
Bridging Local Institutions, Communities and Archaeology: 
The Küçükyalı ArkeoPark in Istanbul
The Küçükyalı ArkeoPark is an urban archaeology project situated in the midst of a densely 
populated neighborhood on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. Containing the remains of a former 
Byzantine monastic complex consisting of a number of valuable architectural features, some of 

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which are highly monumental, including a relatively well-preserved cistern and a rare example of 
ecclesiastic architecture. It dates to the second half of the 9
th
century CE, with occupation phases 
spanning into the early 14
th
century. 
Until some decades ago and prior to the urban transformations affecting the city of Istanbul, 
the remains were part of a well-balanced, extended, green suburban setting. By contrast, today 
Küçükyalı stands as a densely built neighborhood, with the protected archaeological site representing 
the sole surviving green space for the local inhabitants. The archaeological site experienced neglect 
for several decades, from the beginning of its urban transformation in the 1980s until 2001, when the 
first archaeological survey of the area began. The survey was followed in 2009 by excavations, which 
have depended on irregular funding. Despite funding limitations, archaeologists have addressed 
from the outset issues of heritage and public awareness. 
In 2014 and 2015 thanks to EU and local funds, an enhancement program for the site was 
launched. Individual project components included: systematic and open-to-the public excavation 
seasons; the preparation of a site management plan for its long-term sustainability; site development 
for tourism and recreational purposes; public outreach and social, cultural, and educational 
community engagement activities; and the development of strategies to connect the site to cultural 
tourism attractions in other locations of the city. 
The presentation will address the challenges related to engaging local institutions and the local 
community in a Byzantine-period urban archaeological context in contemporary Istanbul. This will 
be followed by a discussion of sustainability issues related to long-term site management and the 
legislative framework for urban archaeological parks in Turkey.