Fighting Entropy to Salvage Istanbul's Historic Bazaar

ny times

By SUSANNE GÜSTEN Published: April 13, 2011

ISTANBUL — When the rain began again in Istanbul this month, Osman Varli, a carpet seller in the city’s Grand Bazaar, cast an anxious glance to the vaulted ceilings outside his shop. “I’m really getting worried here,” he said, pointing to the moldy and decaying columns supporting the graceful vaults. When it rains, water streams down the pillars from the leaking roof and runs down the lane like a river through a ravine. “Those pillars won’t last much longer,” Mr. Varli said, poking at one of the columns with a disdainful finger. “Look, just scratch with your fingernail and it dissolves.” ...more...

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http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/world/europe/14iht-m14-turkey-bazaar.html?_r=1&ref=europe