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Ottoman Turkish architecture |
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The Sultan Ahmed
Mosque in Istanbul
The architecture of the Turkish Ottoman Empire forms a distinctive whole,
especially the great mosques by and in the style of Sinan, like the mid-16th
century Suleymaniye
Mosque. For almost 500 years Byzantine architecture such as the church
of Hagia Sofia
served as models for many of the Ottoman mosques such as the
Shehzadeh Mosque,
the Suleiman Mosque, and the Rüstem Pasha Mosque.
The Ottomans achieved the highest level architecture in the Islamic lands
hence or since. They mastered the technique of building vast inner spaces
confined by seemingly weightless yet massive domes, and achieving perfect
harmony between inner and outer spaces, as well as light and shadow. Islamic
religious architecture which until then consisted of simple buildings with
extensive decorations, was transformed by the Ottomans through a dynamic
architectural vocabulary of vaults, domes, semidomes and columns. The mosque
was transformed from being a cramped and dark chamber with arabesque-covered
walls into a sanctuary of aesthetic and technical balance, refined elegance
and a hint of heavenly transcendence. |
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Early architecture
When the Seljuk Turks first arrived in Iran, they encountered an
architecture based on old traditions. Integrating this with elements from
their own traditions, the Seljuks produced new types of structures, most
notably the "medrasa." The first medrasas (moslem theological schools) were
constructed in the 11th century by the famous minister Nizamulmulk, during
the time of Alp Arslan and Malik Shah. The most important ones are the three
government medrasas in Nisabur, Tus and Baghdad and the Hargerd Medrese in
Horasan. Another area in which the Seljuks contributed to architecture is
that of tomb monument. These can be divided into two types: vaults and large
dome-like mausoleums.
The Ribati-Serif and the Ribati Anasirvan are examples of surviving 12th
century Seljuk caravansarays, which offered shelter for travellers. Seljuk
buildings generally incorporate brick, while the inner and outer walls are
decorated in a material made by mixing marble, powder, lime and plaster. In
typical buildings of the Anatolian Seljuk period, the major construction
material was wood, laid horizontally except along windows and doors where
columns were considered more decorative.
Early Ottoman period

Traditional Turkish house in Ohrid in Macedonia
With the establishment of the Ottoman empire, The years 1300-1453 constitute
the early or first Ottoman period, when Ottoman art was in search of new
ideas. This period witnessed three types of mosques: tiered, single-domed
and subline-angled mosques. The Haci Ozbek Mosque (1333) in Iznik, the first
important center of Ottoman art, is the first example of an Ottoman
single-domed mosque.
Bursa Period (1299-1437)
The domed architectural style evolved from Bursa and Edirne. The Holy Mosque
in Bursa was the first Seljuk mosque to be converted into a domed one.
Edirne was the last Ottoman capital before Istanbul, and it is here that we
witness the final stages in the architectural development that culminated in
the construction of the great mosques of Istanbul. The buildings constructed
in Istanbul during the period between the capture of the city and the
construction of the Istanbul Beyazit Mosque are also considered works of the
early period. Among these are the Fatih Mosque (1470), Mahmutpaşa Mosque,
the tiled palace and Topkapi Palace. The Ottomans integrated mosques into
the community and added soup kitchens, theological schools, hospitals,
Turkish baths and tombs.
Classical period (1437-1703)

Selimiye Mosque is considered
to be the masterpiece of Sinan
During the classical period mosque plans changed to include inner and outer
courtyards. The inner courtyard and the mosque were inseparable. The master
architect of the classical period, Mimar Sinan, was born in 1492 in Kayseri
and died in Istanbul in the year 1588. Sinan started a new era in world
architecture, creating 334 buildings in various cities. Mimar Sinan's first
important work was the Şehzade Mosque completed in 1548. His second
significant work was the Süleymaniye Mosque and the surrounding complex,
built for Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne was built
during the years 1568-74, when Sinan was in his prime as an architect.The
Rüstempaşa, Mihriman Sultan, Ibrahimpasa Mosques and the Şehzade, Kanuni
Sultan Suleyman, Hurrem Sultan and Selim II mausoleums are among Sinan's
most renowned works.

Interior of Selimiye Mosque
Examples of Ottoman architecture of the classical period, aside from Turkey,
can also be seen in the Balkans, Hungary, Egypt, Tunisia and Algiers, where
mosques, bridges, fountains and schools were built.
Westernization period

A view from in of traditional Turkish houses-Lewis, John Frederick,
1805-1875, British painter
During the reign of Ahmed III (1703-1730) and under the impetus of his grand
vizier Ibrahim Pasha, a period of peace ensued. Due to its relations with
France, Ottoman architecture began to be influenced by the Baroque and
Rococo styles that were popular in Europe. The Baroque style is noted as
first being developed by Seljuk Turks. [1] [2]Examples of the creation of
this art form can be witnessed in Divrigi hospital and mosque a UNESCO world
heritage site, Sivas Cifteminare, Konya Ince Minare museum and many more. It
is often called the Seljuk Baroque portal. From here it emerged again in
Italy, and later grew in popularity among the Turks during the Ottoman era.
Various visitors and envoys were sent to European cities, especially to
Paris, to experince the contemporary European customs and life. The
decorative elements of the European Baroque and Rococo influenced even the
religious Ottoman architecture. On the other hand, Mellin, a French
architect, was invited by a sister of Sultan Selim III to Istanbul and
depicted the Bosphorus shores and the pleasure mansions (Yalı's) placed next
to the sea. During a thirty-year period known as the Tulip Period, all eyes
were turned to the West, and instead of monumental and classical works,
villas and pavilions were built around Istanbul. However, it was about this
time when the construction on the Ishak Pasha Palace in Eastern Anatolia was
going on, (1685-1784).
Tulip Period (1703-1757)

İstiklal Avenue of Istanbul
Beginning with this period, the upper class and the elites in the Ottoman
empire started to use the open and public areas frequently. The traditional,
introverted manner of the society began to change. Fountains and waterside
residences such as Aynalıkavak Kasrı become popular. A water canal (other
name is Cetvel-i Sim), a picnic area (Kağıthane) were established as
recreational area. Although the tulip age ended with the Patrona Halil
uprising, it became a model for attitudes of westernization. During the
years 1720-1890, Ottoman architecture deviated from the principals of
classical times. With Ahmed IIIs death, Mahmud I took the throne
(1730-1754). It was during this period that Baroque-style mosques were
starting to be constructed.
Baroque Period (1757-1808)

Ortaköy mosque, Istanbul
Circular, wavy and curved lines are predominant in the structures of this
period. Major examples are Nur-u Osmaniye Mosque, Zeynep Sultan Mosque,
Laleli Mosque, Fatih Tomb, Laleli Cukurcesme Inn, Birgi Cakiraga Mansion,
Aynali Kavak Summerplace, and Selimiye Barracks. Mimar Tahir is the
important architect of the time.
Empire Period (1808-1876)

Çırağan Palace is an example of Empire period
Nusretiye Mosque, Ortaköy Mosque, Sultan Mahmut Tomb, Galata Lodge of
Mevlevi Derviches, Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Sadullah Pasha Yalı,
Kuleli Barracks are the important examples of this style developed parallel
with the westernization process. Architects from the Balyan family were the
leading ones of the time.
Late period (1876-1922)
Aksaray Valide Mosque, Sheikh Zafir Group of Buildings, Haydarpasha School
of Medicine, Duyun-u Umumiye Building, Istanbul Title Deed Office, Large
Postoffice Buildings, Laleli Harikzedegan Apartments are the important
structures of this period when an eclectic style was dominant. R. D'Aronco,
A. Vallaury are leading architects of the time.
Republic of Turkey (1923- )

Ankara with the Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum) in the foreground
In this period, Turkish architects looked into the religious and classical
buildings of former times for inspiration in their attempts to construct a
national architecture.Nationalism, developing strongly after the second
Ottoman constitutional period, freed Ottoman architecture from the influence
of western art, and thereby brought about a new style based on classical
Ottoman architecture.

Levent business district of Istanbul
Following this development, the Ismet Paşa Girls' Institute, the Ankara
Faculty of Letters, the Saraçoglu district, the Grand Theater and the
Istanbul Hilton paved the way for recognition of contemporary architecture.
During this period, Sedat Hakkı Eldem built the Istanbul Science-Literature
Faculty and Emim Onat designed Atatürk Mausoleum, in Ankara.
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