1766 Istanbul Earthquake

The year 1766 marks a significant turning point in the history of natural disasters in Istanbul. The earthquakes on May 22 and August 5, in addition to causing loss of life, led to significant structural damage in the city.

"The 1766 Istanbul Earthquake" is an attempt to write a restoration history in a general sense, focusing on the ruined architectural works of the city. Utilizing Ottoman archival documents, it examines the consequences of the "zelzele-i şedide" (severe earthquake) of May 22, 1766, and how the resulting structural damage was remedied. It also generally evaluates the nature of building repairs in the 18th-century Ottoman world, the main techniques used, and the architectural terminology of the period.

The detailed examination of some extensive repairs carried out after the earthquake also reflects a quest for a methodology on how repair surveys can be used to illuminate the history of restoration.