Conservation and Repair Process of Turkish Islamic Artifacts: Kayseri Ulu Mosque Ali Saim Ülgen Repairs

Kayseri Ulu Cami (The Great Mosque of Kayseri) was built in the Middle Ages and is one of the most important buildings of Turkish-Islamic architecture as a spatial representation of Kayseri's urban identity and social belonging. The mosque a foundation building, has been able to preserve its existence thanks to the repairs it has undergone from its construction to the present day. In this study, the historical and architectural features of the building are described, and a brief cross-section of the repair practices it underwent from its construction until the end of the Ottoman Period is given. The conservation and repair process that the building has undergone until today is described in chronological order by taking into account all the data, such as documents, drawings, photographs, etc., belonging to the building, especially the Presidential State Archives, the General Directorate of Foundations Archive, Salt Galata Ali Saim Ülgen Archive, and especially the early Republican Period repairs of Ali Saim Ülgen are emphasized in detail. This study, which focuses on the early conservation practices of Kayseri Ulu Cami, aims to evaluate the building within the framework of the periodic conditions; in this way, it seeks to shed light on an essential section of the history of conservation and repair in Türkiye and to create a scientific basis for future interventions.