Incredible Ottoman Projects

Abstract

When the term Ottoman architecture is used, the immediate image that comes to mind is that of the multitudes of mosque and religious buildings in Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. One with a more in-depth knowledge of this field may think of the prolific architect Sinan (d. 1588) and his hundreds of purpose- built works. However, this is not another book on Ottoman mosques and pious foundations, but rather a focused collection of the empire’s oftenoverlooked civic works, some of which demonstrate engineering innovations in design. The empire’s geographical proximity to Europe gradually caused it to look westward for aspiration and engendered a palpable reflection of European influence in those of its architectural and infrastructure designs that were the result of commissioning European experts to keep Istanbul and the empire abreast of the latest innovations. This book is divided into thirty-five short sections, ranging from two to fourteen pages each, that consider particular urban, architecture, or infrastructural initiatives. Each section bears the name of the project in question, which is amply illustrated with historical drawings (i.e., maps, urban plans, perspectives rendered in watercolor, sections, and structural details), historical photographs, and relevant textual documents. However, almost no attempt has been made to connect them to each other or to a larger thesis. And despite the introduction’s portrayal of a wealthy, powerful, and vast empire with imperial investment in built innovations to improve the city, no indication is given as to the variety and breadth of the projects to be covered. An in-depth history of each one’s initiation is outlined, often revolving around an enlightened Ottoman sultan or an equally enlightened and forwardthinking European architect, urban planner, or engineer with occasional international backing. The majority of these projects were never completed due to such international crises as war, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes), the lack ...