AN OVERVIEW OF AN ARTISTIC TRADITIONAL OTTOMAN BUILDINGS AT TURKEY AND BALKANS

Abstract

As well as the historical buildings in many regions of Anatolia in Turkey, there aremany buildings, built during Ottoman era in Balkans and these buildings reflect thetraditional architecture characteristics of the Balkans. All of these buildings both inTurkey and Balkans represent the cultural heritage of various time zones. Theywere affected badly and destroyed by the natural or human made effects such as anearthquake, fire, climate conditions, false restoration or rapid urbanization. Someof them were destroyed completely. Increasing the awareness of the importance ofthese historical buildings will increase the protection and restoration of thesebuildings.Architectural and decorative characteristics of these historical buildings made ofwood and brick in the street with Albanian cobblestone which is specific name forcobblestone in Turkey, were examined in the content of this study. It is aimed tocontribute information for the next studies which are dealing with the historicalbuildings.In this study: a detailed literature survey was carried out, the structural andfunctional aspects of the architecture of these buildings were examined as well as aconnection between art, culture and daily life at the houses were established.Additionally field studies were made in Turkey (Safranbolu, Kastamonu, Trabzon)and in Macedonia (Ohrid) in order to compare these historical buildings. Alsotraditional building materials, climate conditions, cultural effects, decorative andarchitectural design were taken into consideration during the field studies.Finally an assessment of the field studies and a general conclusion were made withsome recommendations for the protection of these historical buildings.