User talk:Calledman

In Talk:Thessaloniki, you mention the neglect of Ottoman buildings. That isn't really an appropriate discussion for the Talk page, but it's an interesting topic.

There are doubtless both political and non-political reasons for this. The political reasons are no doubt obvious. The non-political ones, perhaps less so. It has taken a long time for Greece to start valuing its vernacular buildings -- even prestigious arkhontika were being demolished as obsolete through the 20th century, as were 19th century neo-classical townhouses, which were replaced by high-rises, which offered 'all modern conveniences'. Moreover, some of the Ottoman building types (mosques, baths, etc.) were no longer functional. Now, of course, restored island peasant houses and Plaka townhouses are highly prized, but I believe that was a phenomenon that only began in the 1970s. Combining the political desire to erase the Ottoman past, the practical desire for modern function, and the disinterest in old things, the Ottoman building stock was bound to suffer. All that is about Greece in general. In Thessaloniki in particular, there was the great fire of 1917, after which there was a tremendous push to implement a 'modern city plan'. Not that there weren't political/nationalist motivations there, too.... --Macrakis 03:35, 27 December 2005 (UTC)

Links to Private Istanbul Tours
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