The giant statues weighing tons in Gaziantep and Mount Nemrut are reported to have survived the devastating disaster of the century.
Savon Hotel, which was built as a soap house and came to the present day in 1860 with its historical structure, managed to survive the earthquake that destroyed Hatay. With the restoration it underwent, it started operating as a hotel in 2003. Since then, it had been actively operating until the earthquake.
Due to the quake, "historical buildings, churches, mosques or old structures that symbolise the city have all seen destruction. Static calculations of these are not like classic reinforced concrete buildings. There is a different belt system; they are said to be very resistant to lateral impacts. They were battered but could stand erect in such an earthquake.
Therefore, the masters of that time and those who contributed during the restoration deserve a huge thank you.
The artefacts exhibited in the Yesemek Open Air Museum and Sculpture Workshop in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, where 564 sculptures are exhibited, also survived the earthquakes without damage. There are artefacts here belonging to the late Hittite period, which existed in 1200 BC, and stone sculptures between 1 and 10 tons.
The monumental giant sculptures at the Nemrut Mountain Ruins, located at the intersection of Eastern and Western civilizations and on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, survived the earthquakes without damage. There are 50 meters high, 150-meter-diameter tumulus and giant statues belonging to the Kingdom of Commagene in Nemrut.
Nemrut Mountain is undoubtedly one of the most popular historical spots in Turkey and receives hundreds of thousands of visits from foreign and local tourists.
