Cultural Heritage: Istanbul

Days 2–4 trace Istanbul's heritage across three separate parts of the city, each a short transfer apart rather than one continuous walking route — Day 2 stays within the Byzantine and Ottoman imperial core around Sultanahmet and Gülhane (Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums), Day 3 moves to the modern waterfront at Karaköy and Galata, including Istanbul Modern, and Day 4 moves again to Fener and Balat, a historic multi-ethnic neighbourhood anchored by the Chora Church — so participants can teach continuity and change, not a single frozen period.

across the three field days, participants follow a simple, consistent observation approach — photographing, noting and briefly comparing how each site's original function, worship, administration or trade, has persisted or changed — building a personal record they can adapt for fieldwork with their own students later.

a hands-on session where participants turn photos and notes from Days 2–4 into a real digital output — a short digital storytelling piece, a simple interactive quiz, or a mini virtual exhibit — using straightforward tools they can realistically use with their own students.

sessions connect what participants experience — from Hagia Sophia's active conservation work to Fener and Balat's civil wooden architecture — with the responsibility of preserving multi-layered heritage, including everyday neighbourhood fabric and not only landmark monuments, for future generations. Sustainability becomes something participants can observe and reflect on — not simply a concept explained in theory.