Living with Byzantium: local perceptions towards remnants of a ‘dissonant’ past in İznik and Trabzon, Türkiye

This study investigates how residents of İznik and Trabzon engage with and perceive Byzantine heritage within the context of shifting national and ideological narratives in Türkiye. While official state discourse has increasingly adopted neo-Ottomanist ‘re-conquest’ frameworks that portray Byzantine sites as ideological symbols or cultural ‘others’, little is known about how this heritage is understood at the local level. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines public opinion surveys and field observations, the research explores how local communities interact with Byzantine monuments that occupy different positions within the urban landscape, from prominent and actively used sites to marginal or inaccessible remains. The findings reveal a notable ‘dissonance’: while residents acknowledge the historical and economic importance of these sites, personal connections remain weak, marked by limited knowledge and emotional detachment. This disconnection is reinforced by a knowledge ecosystem that includes national education and popular media, which perpetuate conflict-centred narratives. By situating these perceptions within the broader context of heritage policies, the paper argues that adopting more inclusive and participatory approaches – recognising the multiple meanings attributed to Byzantine sites – is essential for fostering local ownership and ensuring their sustainable conservation in Türkiye.