Ottoman empire was about two intertwined themes, empire building and
modernity. Modernity, termed as Tanzimat during this reign, did not just change the local
political and economic systems into Western systems, but it affected the Ottoman local
architecture in Istanbul. Eighteenth century’s architectural structures in the Ottoman city,
Istanbul, were known for its western appearances, which came into existence due to
Ottoman defeats against Western abilities (Cleveland). On the contrary, according to
Hamadeh, defeat of Ottomans was not the only reason for a cultural change, but the
greatest impact emerged due to the acceptance of the western culture by this nation (__).
As Istanbul is located between two major continents, it is merely significant to look at the
architectural dimension of this state to know the influence of the west on the state’s
architecture. Western styles affected two principal characteristics of Ottoman architecture
in Istanbul, supremacy and exteriority. Ottoman architecture, due to new reforms and
political conditions, was not just influenced by local styles and Islamic architecture in
Istanbul, but was influenced by western imperial styles giving ottomans the renowned
recognition that it possess today or marking as one of the reasons for its gradual decline.
Circumstances leading to dependence of Ottomans on Europeans
Architectural inhibitions by the West started from the political interferences.
Western countries started to invest in Ottoman nations so as to make Ottoman lands
dependent on the west economically and politically. Istanbul was moving rapidly towards
modernity and installing finances in a number of heavy projects, which eventually led the
state towards bankruptcy. Not having enough resources to install such projects, Ottoman
Empire had to rely on foreign countries, who turned these projects into imperial programs
to get control and access in the empire. Ottomans even started discussing their various
economical, political and religious situations with the Europeans due to their new status.
Architectural practice, since the very beginning, was in the hands of an imperial
Corps of Court Architects. Sinan, an architect with remarkable architectural history in
Istanbul, initially dominated this Corps. According to the 18th century, the ottomans
oriented European ideals in a merely peaceful era known as the tulip period
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_period). Furthermore, in 19th century, architects
trained by Sinan in the Corps lost their jobs as European architects were given
preference. This marked the initial step towards the decline of Islamic architecture. Later,
Ottoman architecture did include its typical domed congregational structure but along
with its exterior facades and dramatic profiles, the courtyard was integrated in every plan
