Designed by Balyan Family: the Sa'dabad Mosque

Abstract

Sa'adabad Mosque was built as an imperial mosque in the Tulip period (1718-1730) which corresponds to the reign of Ahmet III. The mosque was built in an area very popular in the Tulip Period at Kagithane and not in traditional districts of Istanbul such as the historic peninsula Uskudar or Eyup. This unusual choice of location is a reflection of the characteristics of its time. At the second half of the century new and different concepts in architecture were assessed in the Ottoman land and especially in urban Istanbul. Tulip Period was a period when western influences were first and naively flourished in the built environment. For the first time decoration program outside of the classical canon of Ottoman architecture were witnessed on details of the decorative elements such as doors windows and inscriptions and fountains as the focus of urban space were set at the centers of the squares and construction activity gained pace extramuros. The most fascinating work of the period is the Sa'adabad Palace built outside the historic peninsula by the Kagithane Creek. Sa'dabad Mosque was built in 1135/1722 within the Sa'dabad Palace. It was repaired at the times of Selim III (HD. 1789-1807) and Mahmut II (HD. 1808-1839). The original architecture of the mosque is unknown. Because the existing mosque was rebuilt by Abdulaziz (HD. 1861-1876) in 1279/1862 it is identified as the Aziziye Mosque after the Sultan Abdulaziz as well. The architect of this last mosque is the Balyan Family who had significant role at the construction activity of the period. It is accepted that Architect Sarkis Balyan together with his brother Agop Balyan were responsible from the construction.