Famous Architects and Their Works Brought Magnificent Works to Istanbul

Istanbul has hosted different cultures for centuries and at the same time, trained famous architects. For this reason, in every corner, there are magnificent structures built by an extraordinary talent. Many of these structures are still used for various purposes today, and the first day’s glory is fascinating to those who see them. Here are the famous architects and their works that brought these magnificent works to Istanbul!

1. Large Post Office, Vedat One

The PTT(Mail, Telephone, Telegraph Company) centre in Sirkeci is known as the largest post office building in Turkey. The building, whose architect was Vedat Tek, was used as a radio house before 1958. The successful Turkish architect Vedat Tek is known for his works in the early 20th century and is one of the two leading names of the period with Architect Kemalettin Bey. It is also the first Turkish architect who see Turkey’s formal education.

2. Süleymaniye Mosque, Mimar Sinan

Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the most famous monuments of the Historical Peninsula in Eminönü, was completed in 1558 by Mimar Sinan. This building, which was built by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan at the age of 85, was called by him as his journeyman period work. However, the structure has an exceptional architecture considering many details. For example, it is known that by calculating the airflow in the mosque, the soot of the burning oil lamps is collected in an area and then this soot used for making ink.

3. Dolmabahce Palace, Garabet Amira Balyan

Dolmabahçe Palace, which left its admirers fall short of words with its glory, was built by Nikogos Balyan, son of architect Garabet Amira Balyan. It is known that the building, whose construction began in 1843, was completed in 13 years. There are 285 rooms, 46 halls and 68 toilets in the building. Built-in Western-style, the palace continues to preserve its same glory today.

4. Haydarpaşa Train Station, Otto Ritter & Helmuth Cuno

Haydarpasa Train Station, which was built as the beginning of the Istanbul-Baghdad Railway line, is one of the most distinctive buildings of Istanbul. The station was built in 1908 and was created by two German architects Otto Ritter and Helmuth Cuno. German masters and Italian stone masters worked together in the construction of the station.

5. Taşkışla, Williams James Smith

Taşkışla, which is currently being used as Istanbul Technical University’s Faculty of Architecture, is one of the most impressive buildings of Istanbul. It was built as a hospital between 1846-1852 by British architect Williams James Smith and his assistant Ottoman apprentice Istefan. After the war, it remained empty and devastated for a long time, and in 1860 it was restored and used as a barracks. Between 1943 and 1950, it was restored for the last time and handed over to the Rectorate of ITU. This magnificent building was also designated by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and Monuments as a “first-class historic building to be preserved”.

6. Taut House, Bruno Taut

This unique structure, which was seen at the exit of the Bosphorus Bridge while crossing the European Side, was built by German architect Bruno Taut by blending Turkish and Japanese architecture. Bruno Taut is one of the leading architects of the 20th century. Before fleeing from Hitler fascism in 1930 to Switzerland, then to Japan, it has finally come to Turkey. This private building in Ortaköy was built in 1938 as a house for itself.

7. Egypt Apartment, Hovsep Aznavuryan

Egyptian Apartment, one of the historical buildings of Beyoğlu, was built in 1910 by the famous architect of the period Hovsep Aznavuryan. This magnificent structure bears the traces of the art concept called Art Nouveau. Its gorgeous balconies, large windows and simple decorations have fascinated those who have seen it in Beyoğlu for more than a century.

8. Flower Passage, Cleanthy Zanno

Çiçek Pasajı, one of the symbols of Beyoğlu, was built in 1876 by the famous Greek architect Cleanthy Zanno. This arcade and residential complex by Zanno bears significant similarities in plan and fiction with Milan’s Galleria. Inside the building, there are 24 Parisian shops and 18 luxury apartments. Çiçek Pasaji still maintains its first-day impressiveness with its unique architecture and picturesque internal dynamics.

9. Buyukada Greek Orphanage, Alexandre Vallaury

The Büyükada Greek Orphanage, which defies time with all its majesty on the Hristo Hill of Büyükada, was completed in 1899 by the famous architect Alexandre Vallaury as a hotel. However, it was not used as a hotel but served as an orphanage. It is the largest multi-storey wooden building in Europe and the second-largest in the world. The building is not used today. So much so that it was in ruins and left to rot alone.

10. Pera Palace Hotel, Alexandre Vallaury

The Pera Palace Hotel was built by the famous architect Alexandre Vallaury, who has brought magnificent works to Istanbul. The building was designed as an architectural wonder for Istanbul of the period. The first hotel in Turkey with European standards Pera Palace was built on a hill with unique views of the Golden Horn. In architecture, neoclassical and orientalist elements are used together. Pera Palace Hotel still serves as a hotel today and has been fascinating all those who have seen it for over 125 years.

 

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Historical Buildings in Beyoğlu and Their Stories

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