The Evaluation of Architectural Tourism Potentials of Greek Heritage Structures Remained after the Population Exchange in Niğde’s Settlements

Abstract

The population exchange between Turkey and Greece was decided in 1923 as a result of Lausanne Treaty. By this decision, non-Muslim Greeks living in Turkey and Muslim Turks living in Greece were mandatory mutual migration. The immigrants left their architectural heritage that was built with cultural, ethnic and faith values in the settlements where they were born and grew. Many religious structures (churches, monasteries, chapels), civil buildings (housing, education, health, trade, accommodation, social), technical and economic structures (mills, ovens, bridges, fountain) remained after Greek-Turkish population exchange in various regions of Turkey. Besides to being the witness to history each of the original heritage structures that reflect Greek immigrants’ economic, social conditions, cultural wealth and belief have architectural tourism potentials. Within the scope of the study, the architectural tourism potentials were evaluated by selecting the Uluagac Greek School, Fertek Church, Hancerli Laundry and Church Fountain as a sample among the different building groups located in the Uluagac, Fertek and Hancerli settlements located in Nigde/Turkey. The analyzes for the selected buildings were conducted according to the determinants of architectural tourism potential (architectural and environmental factors, targeted tourist).The data obtained from the analysis were synthesized architectural tourism with cultural, ethnic, religious and ancestral tourism and suggestions were developed.