Museum of Time and Place

Introduction to the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Region, which includes the area bordering and encompassing the Mediterranean Sea, has been inhabited by civilized humans since the 4th millennium BCE. Since then, civilization has spread through this region and new cities were created and populated at strategic points across the area. Once shelter could be constructed rather than found, it was allowed to be placed anywhere, which changed the criteria for a civilization’s location. This criterion was now based on water and elevation.

Mediterranean cities were only successful if they could trade and communicate with their distant neighbors. This put the necessity of the city’s location on the water, rather than land, since it was faster and more reliable as an agency of transportation. The Mediterranean Sea was a permanent and convenient connection between a vast area of cultures, religions, land masses, and cities.

This made it an important component in the establishment of settlements throughout the region’s history. Once a city had located a body of water, then it next needed to elevate itself for protection. This elevation was accomplished by placing the acropolis, or citadel, of the city on a tall hill or mountainside. A majority of the region around the Mediterranean Sea is very hilly and mountainous which gave ample opportunity for cities to be properly established. Civilization continued to develop in this manner through Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Christian, and Modern times. Proper elevation and access to the sea have been steadfast qualities of all successful Mediterranean cities throughout history. Many ancient cities have constantly been inhabited due to their prime locations and resources. These cities have become a collage of cultural identities because of their wide varieties of inhabitants; however, their original strategic importance still remains to this day.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 1

Navigation tools in an unfamiliar Mediterranean City

Civilizations within the Mediterranean Region would try to place themselves on high elevation near water. This would provide connection and protection to the city and its inhabitants, which traditionally led to a prosperous existence. Modern day Mediterranean cities are sometimes fairly expansive because of their elongated existence; however, in almost all cases the location of landmarks such as large bodies of water or an elevated acropolis can be discovered. With these landmarks discovered, one can establish their bearings within the city and use this knowledge to navigate the city without a map. In most cities their lowest physical point is along the water’s edge, usually the sea, while the upper most point of the city will be on a hilltop or mountainside. The water as a landmark is fairly self‐explanatory, but the elevated position can be anything from a religious structure, a keep, or a palace. Any of these can be useful identifying markers for the navigation of a city. There are many occasions where only one of these two landmarks are present in which case the one is twice as valuable and twice as necessary for proper mapping. This method of navigation does not necessarily succeed with cardinal direction; rather, it can connect you between two points of interest with a third point as the reference. This method of navigation also requires other visual artifacts such as buildings and street signs that can aid in the visual mapping of the city. This visual mapping in combination with your other senses can provide a complete memory of the city to make not only your navigation more successful, but also provide a more complete experience of the city. The development of civilization has provided Mediterranean cities with unique commonalities that make them unique in their ease of navigability without a map.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 2

Athens, Greece

Athens is a thriving Mediterranean city that sits on land which has been continuously inhabited since the 5th Millennium BCE. Athens shares culture mainly relating to its various Archaic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman controllers. Athens has managed to maintain its Greek identity while still being a cultural cosmopolitan within the region. Athens is a city that adheres to the basic rules of settling around the Mediterranean. There is the Acropolis of Classical Athens and Lycabettus that stand high above the city, also, the Port of Piraeus on the Saronic Gulf provides excellent water access to the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Athens is settled in the central plain of Attica with mountain ranges and the Gulf to comprise its borders. These land and sea masses can provide some information on location; however, they are difficult to see when in the center of the city. Within Athens are some ruins that are few and far between a mass of modern urban development. These landmarks such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Hephaestus, the Arch of Hadrian and the Parthenon can provide excellent interior city landmarks for visual traversing of the city. The Parthenon, in particular, is located on top of the Acropolis which is visible from a majority of Athens’ central core. Other visual markers such as Omonia Square, Syntagma Square, the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, certain streets, and even the Athens Metro stops can aid in the navigation of this Greek Metropolis.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 3

The Parthenon on the Acropolis stands as a visual landmark in the center of Athens, Greece. This view from the Arch of Hadrian shows its relation to the Parthenon which can be used to establish its relation to another known landmark in Athens such as the Acropolis Museum.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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1. Parthenon 2. Erechtheion 3. Agora 4. Temple of Hephaestus 5. Library of Hadrian 6. Panathenaic Stadium 7. Temple of Olympian Zeus 8. Arch of Hadrian 9. Syntagma Square M. Metro stop

The region surrounding the Acropolis of Athens is a friendly and navigable area mainly directed toward tourism. This map shows one example of a path traveled by a visitor between different Athens landmarks and the navigation was successfully done without a map.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 5

The Metro line in Athens, Greece is a useful tool for navigating the city without a map as long as you know which area you need to go to. This diagram is used on actual Metro trains and gives an inaccurate representation of the city based on the stops of the train.

These stops can help provide another set of landmarks within the city that can be used to successfully navigate from site to site.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 6

Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki is an example of a town that has sprawled past its original roots due to urbanization and the accumulation of people over its vast history. Established in 315 BCE, this city has encountered cultures ranging from Archaic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern day German. All of these cultures have created a vast cosmopolitan of architecture, urban planning, and people. Thessaloniki; however, is based upon the simple concept of Mediterranean civilizations which is to be located near water on an elevated perch. Thessaloniki’s waterfront is the shoreline of the Thermaic Gulf which connects directly to the Aegean Sea and eventually the Mediterranean Sea. The acropolis of the city is now the remnants of a Byzantine‐Ottoman era fortification called the Heptapyrgion. This fortification extends around the old town of Thessaloniki toward the Gulf in the form of large stone walls. These walls in combination with the Rotunda, Arch and Palace of the Roman Emperor Galerius extend in a linear fashion to produce an expansive landmark throughout the city. When navigating Thessaloniki it is easy to become lost in the repetitive gridded streets, tall repetitious buildings, and multi‐ethnic culture. Therefore, it is important to first establish yourself in relation to the water’s edge and the walls of the city. If you can visually and physically relate yourself to these landmarks then it becomes easier to let your other senses further establish your relationship while navigating the city.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 7

The Palace, Rotunda, and Arch of Galerius stand as identifiable monuments within Thessaloniki, Greece. This view from the Palace shows its relation to the Arch and the Rotunda which can be used to establish its relation to another known landmark in Thessaloniki such as the White Tower. This view also shows the Byzantine walls sprawling down from the highpoint of the city. These walls can also be used to establish direction and location in the city.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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The region surrounding the monuments of Galerius in Thessaloniki is a bustling urban environment that can be somewhat difficult to navigate without knowledge of the city’s landmarks. This map shows one example of a path traveled by a visitor between different Thessaloniki landmarks and the navigation was successfully done without a map.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Ag. Dimitrios Roman Market Byzantine Walls Rotunda of Galerius Arch of Galerius Palace of Galerius White Tower Thermaic Gulf

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The waterfront in Thessaloniki, Greece is a useful tool for navigating the city because it provides a barrier that you can track your distance and direction from. This view shows the waterfront in relation to the urban wall of the city. The height of Thessaloniki’s buildings can be daunting and disorienting when placed within; therefore, it becomes important to always know the direction toward the water.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 10

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is another example of a Mediterranean city that is full of history and culture. Civilization in this area extends back to Neolithic times; however, the true history of the city begins around 667 BCE. The cosmopolitan cultures of Istanbul include Phoenician, Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman. All of these have influenced the city during its expansive history, even the city’s name has changed through time from Byzantium, to Constantinople, and now Istanbul. This city’s success is entirely based on its location; however, this does not completely comply with the traditional Mediterranean settlement. Istanbul does not have the large elevated acropolis like other settlements of the region. Rather, it relies upon the water of the Bosphorus Strait and natural harbor called the Golden Horn for its success in trade and communication. There are a few key bridges that cross these bodies of water which can be used as useful identifying markers when navigating the city. Two of the bridges, The Bosphorus Bridge and the Faith Sultan Mehmet Bridge, span the Bosphorus Strait while the third bridge, the Galata Bridge, spans the Golden Horn. When navigating the city center it is important to locate these important bodies of water and their corresponding bridges. They can be important landmarks when establishing location and direction in the city. Popular elevated mosques such as Hagia Sophia or The Blue Mosque, as well as popular areas such as Taksim Square can also add valuable visual identity to someone navigating with the city.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 11

The Galata Bridge crossing the Golden Horn is an important visual and physical landmark for Istanbul, Turkey. This view shows the relation of the bridge and the water to important landmarks such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The setting sun also provides a way of establishing direction to combine with other acquired visual knowledge.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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The region surrounding the Golden Horn in Istanbul is a bustling urban city that can be somewhat difficult to navigate without knowledge of the city’s landmarks. This map shows one example of a path traveled by a visitor between different Istanbul landmarks and the navigation was successfully done without a map.

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Taksim Square Bosphorus Strait Golden Horn Galata Bridge Topkapi Palace Blue Mosque Hippodrome Hagia Sophia Grand Bazaar Aqueduct of Valens

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey is an important social, cultural and economic center for the city. This view shows the relation of the Square to visual landmarks such as churches and department stores.

These landmarks, though not famous, can still provide visual elements that aid in the navigation of a busy and confusing city.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 14

Nafplion, Greece

Nafplion is a typical Greek settlement that has experienced its highs and lows as well as an important role in Mediterranean history.

The location the city now inhabits has been occupied since pre‐classical times. The city was under Byzantine rule until Venetian control began in the 13th Century CE. The Venetians and Ottomans exchanged occupation of the settlement until Nafplion was taken and made capital of Greece during the Greek Revolution in 1829. It lost status of capital in 1834 and now stands as a weekend getaway and tourist destination. This city has far less cultural diversity than many larger Mediterranean cities, which makes for easier readability and navigation. Nafplion follows the traditional Mediterranean settlement by being placed on an elevated peninsula between a towering hillside and the Argolic Gulf which empties into the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The castle of Palamidi is at the top of this hill and is one of three castle fortifications built in during the occupation of the Venetians. The second castle is the Acronafplia which is also elevated above the sea and the third fortification is the Bourtzi Fortress located in the water of the Gulf. These provide proper landmarks that can be seen from all around the city. The coastline and the Venetian fortifications provide visual elements high and low that can be combined with streets, town squares and buildings to visually map your way through Nafplion.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Derek Shultz 15

The Castle of Palamidi stands as a visual landmark in the center of Nafplion, Greece. This view from waterfront shows its relation to the Castle which can be used to establish its relation to another known landmark in Nafplion such as the local beach. This view also shows a local town square which can be another useful device when establishing direction and location in the city.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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The region at the foot of the Acronafplia in Nafplion is a friendly and navigable area mainly directed toward tourism. This map shows one example of a path traveled by a visitor between different Nafplion landmarks and the navigation was successfully done without a map.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Bourtzi Fortress Argolic Gulf Acronafplia Palamidi Castle

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The three fortifications of Nafplion, Greece are all important visual and physical landmarks. This view shows the relation of the Palamidi Castle to the Acronafplia and the Bourtzi Fortress. This view also provides other visual elements such as the waterfront of Nafplion, important town squares, and important buildings such as schools that can all be used as visual guides in the city.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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Mystras, Greece

Mystras is unique from many modern day Greek cities because it is no longer a functioning city. It is currently a collection of somewhat preserved ruins that was established in 1205 CE by Medieval Franks during the Fourth Crusade. This city contains fine examples of Byzantine art and architecture as well as remnants of Venetian and Ottoman development. The location of Mystras was chosen primarily for its protection and connection to the rest of the Mediterranean region via land. Mystras does not have a large body of water to connect with, but it provided an important stronghold for the Crusades. It is settled on a large hill at the foot of Mt. Taygetus which provides a protected elevated position with far reaching views that still provide visual aid on the slope. At the highest point of the city lies the citadel of the ancient city. Sloping down the hill is the rest of the town arranged as Upper City, Middle City, and Lower City. Mystras was self‐sustaining and contained homes, political buildings, churches, and any other necessity of a medieval city. Few whole buildings still remain which makes them valuable landmarks as you travel along the winding paths between ruins. The citadel at the city’s peak allows for a visual aid from all along the slope of the hill. Important buildings such as Saint Sophia, The Palace, Pantanassa, or Peribleptos can also help to orient a visitor to the site and give them visual directions as they navigate the hillside.

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Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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The citadel in Mystras, Greece is a very important protective and prominent landmark of the city. This view shows the relation of the citadel to the Pantanassa Monastery and other ruins within the Lower City. The view also shows the dominance of this hillside and the ease in which your visual connection with the citadel can always be maintained.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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The region below the citadel of Mystras is an over vegetated, but navigable area mainly directed toward tourism and preservation. This map shows one example of a path traveled by a visitor between different Mystras landmarks and the navigation was successfully done without a map.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

Upper Entrance citadel Ag. Sophia Ag. Nicolaos Palace Pantanassas Perivleptos Lower Entrance Metropolis

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The Palace of Mystras, Greece is also an important landmark that is currently being renovated into a school of philosophy. This view shows the Palace in relation to the surrounding landscape of the Mt. Taygetus foothills. The view also shows how your position within the city can be determined by the view you have outward, which is another useful tool that is not necessarily a landmark.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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Conclusion

The Mediterranean Region has endured a majority of the history throughout the world because it has some of the oldest civilizations in history. Due to this fact, many cities have been built and rebuilt to form a cultural cosmopolitan lifestyle for most of the Mediterranean. With cultural cosmopolitan lifestyles come cosmopolitan cities. These cities have built both up and out from their original strategic settlements. With such expansive urban developments and similar cultural undertones, it is easy to become lost and disoriented, especially if visiting the city for the first time. However, there are ways of establishing your bearings in Mediterranean cities because there are unique characteristics involving the city’s beginning location. High elevation and/or water were essential to a successful Mediterranean city and they are essential to a successful visual navigation of the city as well. Gauging direction based on the location of landmarks such as ruins, important buildings, high monuments, or the sea will allow for visual mapping of a city that can accommodate the absence of a map. All your senses will complete your navigation to provide a complete memory map that can be revisited and reedited throughout the visit. This sensory guided experience will heighten your awareness of the city which can provide a well rounded view of the culture, the city, and the history.

Museum of Time and Place

Visual Navigation of Mediterranean Cities

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