Baku, Azerbaijan | 445 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Of ACADEMIC RESEARCH Vol. 3. No. 2. March, 2011, Part II A HERITAGE HOLD OUT AGAINST TIME ON THE HISTORICAL SILK ROAD: IMERA MONASTERY (JOHN PRODROMUS), MEASURED DRAWINGS AND RESTORATION PROJECT Süleyman Özgen 1 , Murat Tutkun 1 , Ayşe Sağsöz 1* , Betül Akgül 2 1 KTU Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, 2 KTU Faculty of Architecture, Department of Interior Design, Trabzon (TURKEY) *Corresponding author: ilkuray@hotmail.com ABSTRACT Contributions of rural, urban and architectural heritage to today’s life come into prominence in terms of physical appearance, vital plurality, symbolic meaning and global economy. Continuity of physical environment make its presence felt with the usage-oriented formation since the design of the historical structures until today. In this sense, practical state of being settled in terms of human dimensions and functional distribution set an example for new designs. Materials used, construction techniques, deformations due to certain reasons at certain times set forth the historicity of the structure and state of having seen much specific to that area. The fact that cultural diversity and the architectural heritage that affect such diversity to the best are both handled in company and harmony play a significant role in socialization of societies. Such pluralist approach results in improving the life quality. In addition to the values of history, aesthetics and ancientness, the symbolic values of structures remind the necessity of protection on and again so that cultural sustainability is ensured. A structure demolished even though it is or might be useful for global economy or national economy do serve the personal gains alone. Instead of demolishing and reconstruction of buildings, reconsidering and evaluation of the existent structure stock often come along with economic inputs. However it is also possible to mention certain cases that do not have any practical requirement for the protection of architectural monument in addition to the physical appearance, vital plurality, symbolic meaning and economic values. For instance, in cases where the architectural monument can no longer serve the intended purpose, its protection is no longer a practical requirement, and it rises to have a cultural function so that the historical assets are transferred to the next generations. In cases the architectural monument fails to realize its genuine function, the monument is considered within the scope of a brand new function. In line with this objective and within the scope of EU Supported Regional Programs by Gümüşhane Governorship in 2007, it was aimed that the architectural monuments existing in the region are taken under protection and brought in tourism. In this scope, Imera (Olucak) Monastery was considered and it was planned to bring it in reuse for Tourist purposes. Historical researches pertaining to Imera (Olucak) Monastery and its immediate surroundings, existent due to diligence, surveying works and restoration project were all prepared, as a result of the application to the EU fund under the project name of “Imera (Olucak) Monastery Restoration and Landscaping”, the aid required for the restoration of the monument was provided. Key words: Imera Monastery, Conservation, Measurement Drawings, Restoration, Gümüshane 1. INTRODUCTION Contributions of rural, urban and architectural heritage to today’s life are of great importance in view of physical appearance, vital plurality, symbolic quality and global economy. Continuity of physical environment is sensed through usage based shaping from the design of the historical structures until today. In this sense, practical completion or establishment of the human and functional distribution in the field can be taken as models for new designs. Materials used, construction techniques, deformations due to certain reasons at certain times reveal historical aspects of the structure and its life history in the specific area. Cultural varieties and their architectural applications in harmony play a significant role in socialization of societies. Such a pluralist approach results in improving the life quality. In addition to the historical, aesthetics and oldness values of structures, their symbolic values indicate the necessity of preservation to ensure cultural continuation. If a building which is or might be profitable for global or national economy is pulled down, it then serves only for personal advantages. Instead of demolishing and reconstruction of buildings, reconsidering and evaluation of the existing structure stock often come along with economic inputs. Physical appearance, vital plurality, symbolic meaning and economical evolutions are certainly of great significance. On the other hand, it is sometimes also possible to say that the architectural monument does not need to be preserved. For instance, in cases where the architectural monument can no longer serve the intended purpose, so preservation is no longer a practical requirement, and it rises to have a cultural function so that the historical assets are transferred to the next generations. In cases the architectural monument fails to carry out its genuine function, the monument is considered within the scope of a brand new function. (Kuban, 2000; Ahunbay, 1999) This is also set forth in the Venice Charter as follows; “…Protection of monuments can be facilitated by always making use of them for a useful purpose...” (Kuban, 2000; Ahunbay, 1999)