Kilayet Manastırı rises on a steep rock ledge above the village of Alabalık in Artvin, at the foot of the 3,428-metre Karçhal Dağı. The building is considered to be about 1,100 years old, and the Turkish press has called it “the Sümela of Artvin”. No vehicle reaches it; the only way up is on foot. To build in such a place took extraordinary engineering knowledge. Today part of the stone roof has collapsed, the walls show serious damage in places, and the village of Alabalık has been calling for its restoration for years.
As far as we know, no complete measured survey of the building exists, and every restoration has to be built on one. The work therefore follows three steps: first the documentation, with a hand survey, photogrammetry and a damage assessment, during which nothing is touched; then a consolidation and restoration project by Turkish experts, submitted to the Regional Conservation Council; and finally its implementation under the supervision of the Turkish authorities. The fieldwork is recorded in a documentary film, with the Turkish scholars and team at its centre.
All work will be carried out in full accordance with Turkish law, under the scientific direction of a Turkish institution and with the participation of the representative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The funding comes from Europe. All data, drawings and models will be delivered to the Turkish authorities through the partner institution and the Artvin Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
