Rhythmanalysis of Istanbul Ayasofya's (re)mosquification During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Diachronic Overview

Abstract

Inauguration of the Grand Mosque of Ayasofya, Istanbul, in 2020 was among the cultural heritage-related magnet events of the COVID-19 pandemic period. This essay focuses on the impacts of function change on the monument's spatial experience, by tracing a continuity of change in its everyday life and use in a continuously changing urban context, through comparatively minor physical interventions starting with the 'necessary minimum' to its 'acupuncture points', as was done during its earlier mosquification and museumification, both of which (were) initiated (by) structural transformations in the longue dur & eacute;e. Following Henri Lefebvre's argument on spatiality of politics and history, and adopting his rhythmanalysis tool, significance of the recent function change is argued to reside in the resulting spatial experience that is characterised by spatiotemporally alternating and/or overlapping political, religious, and tourist 'rituals' that are conditioned by and conditioning longer-term structural changes. Concluding observations target future research along the proposed trajectory.