The Roma and Augustus Temple in Late Ottoman Ankara: Perception, Preservation, and Challenges

This presentation examines the perception, preservation measures, and administrative challenges related to the Ankara Augustus Temple during the Late Ottoman Period, based on official correspondences between 1873 and 1909. The archival documents reveal how the Ottoman authorities engaged with the site, balancing preservation efforts with urban and religious developments in the area. With the enactment of the Asar-ı Atika Regulations, the Ottoman state formalized its approach to the protection of antiquities, yet its implementation faced significant obstacles, including financial constraints and conflicting administrative priorities.

The strategic location of the Augustus Temple within the Hacı Bayram-ı Veli complex made its preservation particularly challenging. Correspondences document repeated interventions to prevent the removal of architectural elements for use in new constructions, such as fountains and cisterns. Reports also highlight concerns over unauthorized excavations and structural modifications, often requiring direct involvement from high-ranking officials, including the Müze-i Hümayun and the Ministry of Education.

By analyzing these correspondences, this study sheds light on the evolution of Ottoman heritage policies, the growing awareness of archaeological conservation, and the tensions between imperial preservation efforts and local urban transformations. The case of the Augustus Temple illustrates the complexities of managing cultural heritage within a dynamic socio-political and religious landscape in the late Ottoman era.