Balyan family

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The Balyan family is a dynasty of famous Ottoman imperial architects of Armenian ethnicity, who designed and constructed numerous magnificent buildings like sultan palaces, kiosks, mosques, churches and various public buildings mostly in İstanbul for five generations in the 18th and 19th centuries. The nine reputed members of the family, who served six sultans in the course of almost a century, were responsible for the westernization of then capital city's architecture.

Until the 17th century, architects serving in the Ottoman Empire were either Muslim or converted to Islam later in life. Most probably, as a 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 empire.

Members of this Armenian family built various structures for the Ottoman Empire, which like Sinan’s are among the most famous artwork. The Balyans used western architecture technique and designs, however did not disregard the traditional Ottoman-Turkish elements. The most important and largest construction they built was Dolmabahçe Palace, which is considered to be one of the world finest palaces of the 19th century.

Most of their buildings are still in use, and registered as historical monument by the Turkish Republic.

Contents

[edit] Family members

[edit] List of buildings and structures

Following is a list of buildings and structures designed and constructed by Balyan family members.

[edit] Royal residences

[edit] Religious buildings

  • Tophane Nusretiye Mosque (1823-1826)
  • Ortaköy Mosque (1852-1854)
  • Dolmabahçe Mosque, aka Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque (1852–1854)
  • Aksaray Valide Mosque (1871)
  • Üsküdar Surp Haç Armenian Gregorian Church
  • Kayseri Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Armenian Church
  • Beşiktaş Surp Nişan Armenian Church (1834)
  • Ortaköy Surp Astvadzadzin Armenian Church (1824)
  • Kuruçeşme Surp Nişan Armenian Church
  • Bandırma Armenian Church
  • Beyoğlu Surp Yerrortutyun Church (1838)
  • Kumkapı Surp Astvadzadzin Patriarchiate Church
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud II (1840)
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Abdülmecit
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Abdülaziz

[edit] Public buildings

  • İstanbul Mint
  • Üsküdar Selimiye Barracks (1880)
  • Davutpaşa Barracks (1826-1827)
  • Beyoğlu Barracks
  • Maçka Arsenal
  • Ministry of War
  • Academy of War
  • Palace School of Medicine
  • Academy of Fine Arts
  • Beşiktaş Makruhyan Armenian Primary School (1866)
  • Beyazit Tower (1828)
  • Dolmabahçe Clock Tower (1895)
  • Nusretiye Clock Tower (1848)
  • Topuzlu Dam
  • Valide Dam
  • Beşiktaş-Akaretler 138 Terraced Houses (1874)
  • Armenian Hospital (1832-1834)

[edit] Production facilities

[edit] Ancestors

[edit] Mason Bali

Mason Bali (aka Mason Balen, in Turkish: Meremmetçi Bali Kalfa or Meremmetçi Balen Kalfa), a masonry craftsman from the Belen village of Karaman in central Anatolia, was the founder of the dynasty. Moved to Istanbul, he learnt an Armenian palace architect of Sultan Mehmed IV (1648-1687), whom he prospered to replace. When Bali died in 1725, his son Magar took his place as architect at the sultan’s court.

[edit] Architect Magar

Architect Magar (Turkish: Mimar Magar) was a very adventurous person. Thanks to his courage, Magar was charged with important projects, and consequently promoted to extraordinary higher ranks. However, as a result of denunciation customs in that period, he was driven away from the court of Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754) to exile in the eastern Anatolian town of Bayburt. There, Magar taught his elder son Krikor all his knowledge on architecture before he was pardoned and returned to İstanbul again.

Following his retirement, his son Krikor took over his position. Magar’s second son Senekerim collaborated with his brother Krikor. Magar died in Bayburt.

[edit] The family

[edit] Krikor Balyan

Krikor Balyan (aka Krikor Amira Balyan) (1764-1831) was the first member of the Balyan family. He was initially called Baliyan or Balyan after his grandfather, and adopted later the family name Balyan. He was son-in-law of Mason Minas and father-in-law of Ohannes Amira Severyan, who were both palace architects.

Krikor received his credential of architecture from Sultan Abdul Hamid I (1774 - 1787). He became unofficial advisor to Sultan Selim III (1789 - 1807), and was closely related to Sultan Mahmud II (1808 - 1839). Krikor’s attitude of impartiality and willingness for negotiation taught the foreigners to respect him during their visits at the sultan’s palace.

He was exiled in 1820 to Kayseri in central Anatolia, as he was involved in the dispute between the Gregorian and Catholic Armenians. He was pardoned and allowed to return to İstanbul, shortly after a friend of him in the palace presented delicious Turkish ham from Kayseri to the sultan.

Krikor died in 1831 after serving the empire during the reign of four sultans, Abdul Hamid I (1774 - 1787), Selim III (1789 - 1807), Mustafa IV (1807 - 1808) and Mahmud II (1808 - 1839). His young and inexperienced son Garabet Amira succeeded him, as he died 1831 in İstanbul.

His major works were:

  • Sarayburnu Palace (burned 1875)
  • Beşiktaş Palace
  • Çırağan Palace (was burned by the Janissaries)
  • Arnavutköy Valide Sultan Palace
  • Defterdar Sultan Palace
  • Aynalıkavak Pavilion
  • Tophane Nusretiye Mosque (1823 - 1826)
  • Selimiye Barracks (1800, burnt 1807)
  • Davutpaşa Barracks (1826 - 1827)
  • Beyoğlu Barracks
  • İstanbul Mint
  • Valide Dam
  • Topuzlu Dam
  • Fire Kiosk

[edit] Senekerim Balyan

Senekerim Balyan (1768 - 1833) was the son of Architect Magar and younger brother of Krikor Balyan. He worked together with his brother, but remained in the background. He rebuilt the Beyazit Fire Tower, which was initially constructed 1826 by his brother Krikor in wood, and but destroyed after a fire.

His works are:

[edit] Garabet Amira Balyan

Garabet Amira Balyan, aka Karabet Balyan (1800-1866), was born in İstanbul. He took over his father Krikor’s place together with his uncle-in-law Mason Ohannes Serveryan, because he was very young and not experienced enough to do the complicated works alone. He served during the reign of Mahmud II (1808 - 1839), Abdul Mecid (1839 - 1861) and Abdulaziz (1861 - 1876), and constructed numerous buildings in İstanbul. The most famous and magnificent of his works is Dolmabahçe Palace, he built in collaboration with his son Nigoğayos. Another notable architectural work of him is Beylerbeyi Palace, which was a cooperation with his other son Sarkis.

Garabet Balyan was also active in the Armenian community for their educational and administrative matters, and carried out research work on Armenian architecture. His four sons, Nigoğayos, Sarkis, Hagop and Simon succeeded him as he died in 1866.

Dolmabahçe Palace
Enlarge
Dolmabahçe Palace
Image:Ortaköy MM.jpg
Ortaköy Mosque in front of the Bosphorus Bridge

Garabet’s notable works include:

[edit] Nigoğayos Balyan

Nigoğayos Balyan, aka Nigoğos Balyan (1826 - 1858) was born as the first son of Garabet Armira Balyan. He was sent in 1843 to Paris, France together with his brother Sarkis to study architecture at the Collège Sainte-Barbe de Paris. Due to his illness however, he and his brother had to return to İstanbul in 1845. By joining his father Garabet’s work, Nigoğayos gained experience. He was appointed arts advisor to Sultan Abdulmecid (1839 - 1861). He founded also a school for domestic architects in order to teach western architecture.

Nigoğayos worked together with his father on the building of Dolmabahçe Palace (1842 - 1856). He participated in the preparations for the Law on the Armenian Nation. Nigoğayos died in 1858 at the age of only 32 in İstanbul.

His notable works are:

[edit] Sarkis Balyan

Sarkis Balyan (1835 - 1899) was the second son of Garabet Balyan. In 1843, he followed his elder brother Nigoğayos to Paris. He had to return already 1845 to İstanbul due to his brother’s illness. In 1847, Sarkis went again to Paris to attend Collège Sainte-Barbe de Paris, which he finished after three years. Later, he studied at Academy of Fine Arts.

Returned to İstanbul, Sarkis started to work together his father and brother Nigoğayos. He continued his works with the younger brother Hagop following the death of his father and his brother Nigoğayos. Sarkis won greater fame than Hagop because he constructed the structures his brother designed. Sarkis is known even as the designer of many buildings.

Known as a fast worker, his professional life was interrupted due to the death of brother Hagop in 1875 and Abdülhamid II's climbing to the throne (1876 – 1909). Due to political allegations, he was forced to exile to Europe. Sarkis could return to Turkey after 15 years only.

His most important work is Valide Sultan Kiosk. Interested in all the branches of fine arts, Sarkis supported Armenian writers, musicians and particularly theater actors. He was also member of the Armenian Patriarchate’s Assembly.

Sarkis Balyan's notable works are:

  • Beylerbeyi Palace, together with his father Garabet Balyan (1861 - 1865)
  • Beşiktaş Makruhyan Armenian Primary School (1866) (dedicated to the memory of his young died wife Makruhi)
  • Çırağan Palace (1863 - 1871)
  • Valide Mosque, together with brother Hagop Balyan (1871),
  • Zeytinburnu Gunpowder Factory (1874),
  • Beşiktaş-Akaretler 138 Terraced Houses (construction began 1874)
  • Adile Sultan Palace, Kandilli (1876)
  • Dolmabahçe Clock Tower (1895)
  • Ministry of War, the main building of Istanbul Technical University today
  • Palace School of Medicine, Galatasaray High Schooş today
  • Maçka Arsenal, Faculty of Mining of the İstanbul Technical University today
  • Malta Kiosk
  • Baltalimanı Coastal Palace
  • Old kiosk on Galatasaray islet

[edit] Hagop Balyan

Hagop Balyan (1838 - 1875) was born as the third son of Garabet Balyan. He worked together with his brother Sarkis on the realization of some projects in İstanbul. Hagop died in 1875 at the age of 37.

[edit] Simon Balyan

Simon Balyan (? - 1894) was the youngest son Garabet Balyan. He was also an architect.

[edit] Levon Balyan

Levon Balyan (1855 - ?) was the son of Nigoğayos Balyan. He attended Collège Sainte-Barbe de Paris in 1869.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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