Balyan Family - Architect

 Until the 17th century, architects serving at the Ottoman Empire were either Muslim or had adopted Islam later in life. Most probably, as the result of the reform movement architects from the minorities gained popularity and among them the western educated Balyan family has a distinct place in architecture of the Ottoman Empire. Members of this Armenian family built various palaces, kiosks and summer palaces for the Sultans, which like Sinan's are among the most famous Ottoman structures. They have used western architecture technique and designs however have not disregarded the traditional Ottoman-Turkish fundamentals. The most important and largest construction the Balyans have built was Dolmabahçe Palace, which is considered to be one of the finest 19th century palaces in the world. The palace carries major characteristics of western architecture however especially with the Ottoman-Turkish elements it does not exactly fit any western style.

Four generations of architects from the Balyan family served six Ottoman Sultans over the course of 100 years. These imperial architects built prolifically in Istanbul and its environs, marking the landscape with land marking artworks. Most are still in use and registered as historical monuments by The Turkish Republic.

Following are some of the artworks of the Balyan family

Krikor Amira Balyan
(1764-1831)
Old Seaside Palace, Old Beşiktaş Palace, Çırağan Palace. Arnavutköy Validesultan Palace, Aynalıkavak Kasrı, Istanbul Mint, Tophane-Nusretiye Mosque, Selimiye Barracks and Davutpaşa Barracks.

Senekerim Balyan
(? – 1833)
Beyazıt Fire Tower (Beyazıt Kulesi)

Garabet Amira Balyan
(1800-1866)
Dolmabahçe Palace, New Çırağan Palace, Yeşilköy Hünkar Kiosk, Old Yıldız Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Armenian Hospital, Beyoğlu Surp Yerrortutyun Church, Kumkapı Surp Asdvadzazin Church, Mimar Sinan University (former cannon forming) building at Tophane, Beşiktaş Surp Asdvadzazdin Armenian Church

Nikogos Balyan
(1826-1858)
Ihlamur Pavilion, Küçüksu Pavilion, Dolmabahçe Mosque

Sarkis Balyan
(1835-1899)
Çırağan Palace, Beşiktaş Akaretler buildings, Galatasaray High School, Malta Kiosk, Beylerbeyi Palace

Also See:

Atatürk	Alexandre Vallaury - Architect
Ara Guler - Photographer	Balyan Family - Architect
Burhan Doğançay - Painter	Evliya Çelebi - Traveler
Fazıl Say - Pianist/Composer	Fikret Mualla - Painter
Güher & Süher Pekinel-Pianist	Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi - Scientist
Karagöz and Hacivat	Mercan Dede - Composer
Mevlana	Mimar Sinan - Architect
Nazım Hikmet - Poet	Orhan Pamuk - Writer
Osman Hamdi Bey - Museologist	Sabiha Gökçen - Combat pilot
Sakıp Sabancı - Businessman	Sezen Aksu - Musician
Vehbi Koç - Businessman	Yasar Kemal - Writer
Kirkpinar Oil-Wrestling	Turkish Coffee
Traditions & Habits	Religious Colors
Islam in Turkey	Istanbul's Holy Places
Ankara's Holy Places	Famous Personalities
Legendary bazaars	Turkish Cuisine
Special Tastes	Hubble-bubble (Nargile)
Rakı and Meyhane	Hamam - Turkish Bath
Luck Games	A Little Turkish Fun

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