Virtual gallery shows artifacts of Süleyman

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

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A virtual gallery titled “Rare Works of Art,” and resulting from a partnership between Istanbul University (IU) and the consumer electronics store Teknosa, gathers together magnificent works of art from the era of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, in honor of the 446th anniversary of his death.

The project also marks the first virtual library in Turkey, and the first interactive simulation of an important historical structure, Süleymaniye Mosque.

Speaking at the opening of the virtual gallery, Istanbul University rector Yusuf Söylet said works on the project began in 2007. “Istanbul University is not only a hub for cultural heritage hub, it is also forms a scientific bridge between past and present,” he said. “With this new project it is possible to learn more detailed information about Kanuni [Lawgiver] Sultan Süleyman.”

Presenting the life of Süleyman

The life of Suleyman is presented in three different languages on the website that hosts the gallery.
Teknosa uploaded three one-of-a-kind manuscripts from the time of Süleyman’s reign to the digital environment. “Divan-ı Muhibbi,” “Beyan-ı Menazil Sefer-i Irakeyn” and “Kitab-ı Bahriye,” which are kept in IU’s Rare Book and Manuscript Library, will be preserved with this digital tool.

A 3-D interactive simulation of architect Sinan’s Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the most significant structures of the period, has also been prepared enabling virtual visits. The project’s website will also feature 3-D images Süleyman’s clothes and personal belongings.

The university has restored its historical structures and also reorganized the artwork in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library using modern preservation methods, Söylet said. The library will continue to transfer rare books from the collection to the virtual environment with Teknosa’s help.

“This environment will enable us to share these works of art with the whole world. There are
no other copies of these works of art,” Söylet said.

The virtual gallery will remain open until Dec. 31, 2012.