Gül GÜLER - Fatma ÇAKMAK

Doors and thresholds, fundamental components of architectural structures, have undergone various forms of transformation throughout history. However, they remain pivotal elements within the concept of "home," symbolizing a place of arrival. The door, separating interior and exterior spaces, along with its precursor, the threshold, embodies connotations of symbols and values rooted in the cultural heritage of the past, manifested within the spatial organization of daily life.

This study aims to explore and evaluate doors and thresholds as multifaceted memory components within the context of human, space, and identity relations, using examples from traditional house doors in Şanlıurfa. The research identified the entrance doors of houses located in the city center of Şanlıurfa, dating back to the late Ottoman period. The scope of the study was limited to historical house entrances that stand out with their architectural features. It discusses the formation of social life within the city, neighborhood, and street dynamics while focusing on the definitions, meanings, and relationships of doors and thresholds with architecture, particularly their connection to homes. Furthermore, the study analyzed and interpreted elements of thought, belief, and aesthetics reflected in house entrances through iconographic explanations. By examining the historical identity of house doors within Şanlıurfa’s cultural context, the study aims to contribute to the academic literature.
Keywords: Urfa, house, space, door, symbol, memory.