This study discusses the conservation of historical buildings and places and its participation in the modern city life in Samsun city. Samsun city has a long historical and cultural past as an old settlement along the coastline of Black Sea. However, as a result of the rapid urbanization and modernization movements after 1950, a great part of historical and cultural assets of the city’s past was destroyed. A great part of the existing historical inheritance in the city is in Kale district which forms the core of the city. Daily population mobility and increase in rent due to intense use of places, which corresponds to central work area today, creates a great pressure on historical structures. Especially in the past, permissions for multi-storey buildings in this part of the city caused the destruction of historical structures. Works about the conservation of historical assets in the city have started recently. Buildings and places which are important in terms of the historical and cultural identity of the city should be conserved within the sustainable development of the city. In addition to developing the feeling of identity and awareness of history, conserving historical legacy will also make great contributions to city tourism. Recently, the restoration and inclusion of some historical buildings to modern life of the city has increased the attraction of the city in terms of tourism in addition to its significant contribution to the identity and nostalgia of the city.