Dovecotes in Kayabağ village: an assessment of landscape and architectural characteristics

ABSTRACT The dovecotes of Kayseri-Gesi stand out as unique examples of indigenous architecture of Anatolia. They are considered significant elements of the rural landscape. The purpose of the construction, the constructional and spatial characteristics peculiar to these dovecotes, make them an important element of global cultural and architectural heritage. Dovecotes that are built upon rocks, with mere building stones provided from the same rocks, look like a shaped form of the topography itself. This is very much to do with the geological features of the Cappadocia Region where Kayseri is located. In terms of construction techniques and spatial organization, the dramatic differences in the dovecotes’ underground and aboveground parts make them even more outstanding. This research is based on the field studies conducted in the dovecotes of Kayabağ. The landscape was studied in all aspects and each dovecote is studied for its placement, topographical interactions, plan and section typologies, materiality and construction techniques. The structural problems stemmed from the geological features and the deterioration caused by external factors are taken into consideration. The study concludes with an overall approach for preservation, sustainability and conservation process of the heritage landscape of Dovecotes [Güvercinlik] of Kayabağ.