Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Central Anatolia has the best of the Seljuks'
magnificent mosques,
medreses
(seminaries),
caravanserais and conical
türbe
(tombs). Many
caravanserais can be seen at roadsides in and
around Cappadocia, and Amasya and Eğirdir
have impressive Seljuk structures.
Greek & Roman
Ruins
1 EPHESUS (EFES;
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)
Ottoman
The Ottomans were influenced by Byzantine
styles, especially ecclesiastical architecture and
dome construction. Mixing these and Persian
influences produced the T-shape plan, for which
Edirne's Üç Şerefeli Cami became a model. Im-
perial Ottoman mosques, especially those de-
signed by Mimar Sinan, remain Turkey's most
impressive. Sinan's great works include
Edirne's Selimiye Camii and the Süleymaniye
Mosque in İstanbul.
The Ottomans also built distinctive
multistorey houses, with protruding upper
floors balanced on carved brackets. Common
features include
haremlik
and
selamlık
(women's and men's areas), intricate woodwork
detailing on ceilings and joinery, ornate fireplaces and expansive rooms. These houses are
best seen in Safranbolu, Amasya and Kaleiçi.
Pleasure-seeking later Ottomans built
yalı
(wooden seaside summer mansions) and pa-
vilions. Also visible on Bosphorus cruises is the extravagant Dolmabahçe Palace, exem-
plifying 'Turkish baroque', a rococo and baroque pastiche of hammed-up curves, frills,
scrolls, murals and fruity excesses.
2 BERGAMA (PERGAMUM;
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)
3 HIERAPOLIS (
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)
4 MILETUS (
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)
5 DIDYMA (
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)
6 PRIENE (
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)
Neoclassical & Modern
From the 19th century, foreign influences led to an eclectic neoclassical blend, mixing
European architecture, Turkish baroque and Ottoman elements. Notable examples include
Ankara's central post office and İstanbul's Sirkeci train station.
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