Local perceptions of Sultanahmet Archaeological Park

Sultanahmet Archaeological Park Area sits in Istanbul's Historical Peninsula and remains one of the city's most visited districts. It was the center of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and its monuments continue to attract global attention.

Over the last decades, tourism has transformed the district's streets, businesses, and daily rhythms. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and heritage branding now sit alongside the memories of residents, workers, guides, and families who experienced the area before it became a packaged destination.

This project documents those overlapping narratives. Alongside iconic structures such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, the square holds simple, intimate stories passed down through generations. Those personal accounts reveal how the place has been lived, remembered, and contested beyond official heritage language.