Abdul Hamid I
Abdülhamid I, Abdul Hamid I or Abd Al-Hamid I (Ottoman Turkish: عبد الحميد اول `Abdü’l-Ḥamīd-i evvel), called the Servant of God (March 20, 1725 – April 7, 1789), was the 27th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He was the son of sultan Ahmed III (1703–30) and succeeded his brother Mustafa III (1757–74) on January 21, 1774. He was born in Istanbul. His mother was Râbi'a Sharmi Sultana.
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Abdul Hamid II
His Imperial Majesty, The Sultan Abdülhamid II, Emperor of the Ottomans, Caliph of the Faithful, (AKA: Abdul Hamid II or Abd Al-Hamid II Khan Ghazi), (Ottoman Turkish: عبد الحميد ثانی , ) (21/22 September 1842 – 10 February 1918) was the 34th sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He oversaw a period of decline in the power and extent of the Empire, ruling from 31 August 1876 until he was deposed on 27 April 1909. Abdülhamid II was the last Ottoman Sultan to rule with absolute power, and was succeeded by Mehmed V.
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Abdul Mecid I
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Abdulmecid I
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Abdülaziz
Abdülaziz I or Abd Al-Aziz, His Imperial Majesty (Ottoman Turkish: `Abdü´l-Âzīz-i evvel عبد العزيز) (February 9/18 1830 – 4 June 1876) was the 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and reigned between 25 June 1861 and 30 May 1876. He was the son of Sultan Mahmud II and succeeded his brother Abdülmecid I in 1861.
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Abdülmecit I
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Hagop Kazazian Pasha
Hagop Kazazian Pasha (alternative spelling: Agop Kazazyan) (1833–1891) was a high-ranking Ottoman official of Armenian origin who served as the Minister of Finance and the Minister of the Privy Treasury during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
http://wn.com/Hagop_Kazazian_Pasha
Mahmud I
Mahmud I (), called the Hunchback (August 2, 1696 December 13, 1754) was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1730 to 1754. He was born at Edirne Palace the son of Mustafa II (1695–1703) and his mother was Valide Sultan Saliha Sabkati. Mahmud I was the older brother of Osman III (1754–57).
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Mahmud II
Mahmud II (Ottoman Turkish: محمود ثانى Mahmud-ı sānī) (20 July 1785 – 1 July 1839) was the 30th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1808 until his death in 1839. He was born in the Topkapi Palace, Constantinople, the son of Sultan Abdul Hamid I. His reign is notable mostly for the extensive legal and military reforms he instituted, which culminated into the Tanzimat (Reorganization) that was carried out by his sons Abdülmecid I and Abdülaziz I. His mother was Valide Sultan Naksh-i-Dil Haseki (there have been speculations that she was a cousin of Napoleon's wife Josephine, but this is now widely regarded as false; see Aimée du Buc de Rivéry).
http://wn.com/Mahmud_II
Mehmed IV
Mehmed IV (Ottoman Turkish: محمد رابع Meḥmed-i rābi‘; also known as Avcı, "hunter") (January 2, 1642 – January 6, 1693) was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1648 to 1687. Taking the throne at age six, his reign was significant as he changed the nature of the Sultan's position forever by giving up most of his executive power to his Grand Vizier.
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Mustafa IV
Mustafa IV (Ottoman Turkish: مصطفى رابع Muṣṭafā-yi rābi‘) (September 8, 1779 – November 15/16, 1808), son of Abdülhamid I (1774–1789), reigned briefly as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1807 to 1808. He was born in Istanbul. His mother was Valide Sultan Ayse Seniyeperver.His mother had taken care of his education, but Mustafa was a greedy, cunning and a nervous man and he preferred to live a life of pleasure rather than to be educated.
http://wn.com/Mustafa_IV
Selim III
Selim III (Ottoman Turkish: سليم ثالث Selīm-i sālis) (December 24, 1761 – July 28/29, 1808) was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1789 to 1807. He was a son of Mustafa III (1757–74) and succeeded his uncle Abdülhamid I (1774–89). He was born in Constantinople. His mother was Valide Sultan Mihr-i shah. His attempts to reform the Ottoman Empire ended with his assassination.
http://wn.com/Selim_III

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Beauty of Turkey

Order: Reorder
Duration: 3:33
Published: 20 Feb 2008
Uploaded: 24 Mar 2011
Author: BeautySavesWorld

The Armenian 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. Thanks to lenalena340 for music

Aryan's Pre School Graduation

Order: Reorder
Duration: 5:01
Published: 02 Jul 2009
Uploaded: 26 May 2010
Author: TheBalyans

Aryan's pre-School Graduation at the Goddard School (Westerville, OH), on May 21st 2009.

Armenian Genocide Film Photographs: Turkish SOLDIER beheads Armenian: HOLOCAUST #1

Order: Reorder
Duration: 9:33
Published: 19 Jun 2009
Uploaded: 05 Apr 2011
Author: VANArmenya

Decapitations occurred as a rule to save bullets! FIRST HOLOCAUST of 20th CENTURY: 2007 Film soon to be released in USA 2010 or 2011, across the nation or on Spanish and English CABLE TELEVISION. It show one of the popular methods of Genocide employed in the genrocide era of 1071AD to today. (Turkey continues to kill the Armenian Church, architecture, erases Armenia from law, music, history and educational textbooks). The alphabet of "Turkey" was codified by Armenian linguists led by Hagop Mardaean. Armenian Balyan family, Sinan, and others built all the major architecture of Turkey, except for the confiscated Byzantine (Greek/Graeco-Armenian) churches. Turks would pounce on a village with feigned (faked) friendship (a policy of OSMAN GHAZI, spawn of the Saljuq Turks with their tens of thousands of Armenian slave girl concubines and abducted Christian boy (converted by sword to Islam) armies--JANISSARY army)), ALWAYS killed the men, abducted the females for sex slavery or sale, turned CHURCHES into GAY BATHhOUSES.. Thus, more Muslim Turks, less Christians! This parasitism went on for 900 years! The Avakians are a rich Christian Armenian family. Aram, a land-owner living in a small town in historic Armenia (now occupied by Muslim Turkey), and Assadour, a successful doctor from Venice, are brothers who have not seen each other for a long time and decide to meet in historic Christian Armenia. While Assadour prepares himself for his trip to his native land, the Armenian part <b>...</b>

Balyan family

The Balyan family (, Palyans) was a dynasty of famous Ottoman imperial architects. They were of Armenian ethnicity. For five generations in the 18th and 19th centuries, they designed and constructed numerous major buildings, including palaces, kiosks, mosques, churches and various public buildings, mostly in İstanbul. The nine well-known members of the family served six sultans in the course of almost a century and were responsible for the westernization of the architecture of the then-capital city.

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 non-Muslim minorities gained popularity, and among them the Western-educated Balyan family has a distinct place in the history of the empire's architecture. But in historical resources, it is debated that their architectural identity may be confused with contractor or administrator identities for some members. It is unknown to define who was "architecture", "contractor" or "administrator" among the family members.

The Balyans used Western architectural techniques and designs; they did not, however, disregard traditional Ottoman elements. The most important and largest construction built by members of the family was Dolmabahçe Palace, which is considered to be one of the world's finest palaces of the 19th century.

Most of their buildings are still in use and registered as historical monuments.

Family members

, Istanbul.]]

Bali (Balen; ?–1725)

* Magar (?–?)

** Krikor Balyan (Krikor Amira Balyan; 1764–1831)

** Senekerim Balyan (1768–1833)

** Garabet Amira Balyan (1800–1866)

*** Nigoğayos Balyan (1826–1858)

**** Levon Balyan (1855-?)

*** Sarkis Balyan (1835–1899)

*** Hagop Balyan (1838–1875)

*** Simon Balyan (1848–1894)

Buildings and structures

Buildings and structures designed and constructed by Balyan family members:

Royal residences

Dolmabahçe Palace (1848–1856)

Beylerbeyi Palace (burnt by Janissaries, rebuilt) (1861–1865)

Çırağan Palace (1863–1871)

Topkapı Palace

Sarayburnu Palace (burnt 1875)

Beşiktaş Palace

Valide Sultan Palace, Arnavutköy

Defterdar Sultan Palace

Adile Sultana Palace, Kandilli (1876)

Eyup Twin Palaces

Salıpazarı Palace

Yıldız Palace

Fındıklı Cemile and Münire Sultan Palaces (1856–1859)

İzmit Hünkar Palace

Baltalimanı Coastal Palace

Aynalıkavak Palace

Esma Sultana Mansion (1875)

Adile Sultan Pavilion, Validebağ (1853)

Ihlamur Pavilion (1849)

Küçüksu (Göksu) Pavilion (1857)

Malta Kiosk

Sultan Mahmud I Kiosk

Yeşilköy Hünkar Kiosk

Old kiosk on Galatasaray islet

Religious buildings

Tophane Nusretiye Mosque (1823–1826)

Ortaköy Mosque (1852–1854)

Dolmabahçe Mosque (Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque; 1852–1854)

Aksaray Valide Mosque (1871)

Üsküdar Surp Haç Armenian 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 I

Mausoleum of Sultan Abdülaziz

Public buildings

Istanbul Mint

Selimiye Barracks (1800)

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)

Surp Prgiç Armenian National Hospital (1827–1834)

Production facilities

Zeytinburnu iron works

İzmit textile factory

Hereke textile factory (1843)

Bakırköy textile factory

Beykoz tannery

Zeytinburnu gunpowder factory (1874)

Ancestors

Mason Bali

Mason Bali (Mason Balen, 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. He moved to Constantinople, where he learned of an Armenian palace architect of Sultan Mehmed IV (1648–1687), whom he replaced. When Bali died in 1725, his son Magar took his place as architect at the sultan’s court.

Architect Magar

Architect Magar (Turkish: Mimar Magar) was charged with important projects and was consequently frequently promoted to higher ranks. However, as a result of a denunciation, 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 architecture before being pardoned and returning to Constantinople. Following his retirement, his son Krikor took over his position. Magar’s second son Senekerim collaborated with his brother Krikor. Magar died in Bayburt.

The family

Krikor Balyan

Krikor Balyan (Krikor Amira Balyan; 1764–1831) was the first member of the family to use the surname Balyan. He was called Baliyan or Balyan after his grandfather and later adopted this as the family name Balyan. He was the son-in-law of Mason Minas and father-in-law of Ohannes Amira Severyan, both of whom were 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 close to Sultan Mahmud II (1808–1839). Krikor’s attitude of impartiality and willingness for negotiation caused foreigners to respect him during their visits to the sultan’s palace.

He was exiled in 1820 to Kayseri in central Anatolia, because of his involvement in a dispute between Gregorian and Catholic Armenians. He was pardoned and allowed to return to Constantinople shortly after a friend of his in the palace, Amira Bezjian, presented delicious Turkish ham from Kayseri to the sultan.

Krikor died in 1831 after serving the empire during the reigns 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.

Krikor's major works:

Sarayburnu Palace (burned 1875)

Beşiktaş Palace

Çırağan Palace (burned by Janissaries)

Arnavutköy Valide Sultan Palace

Defterdar Sultan Palace

Aynalıkavak Pavilion

Tophane Nusretiye Mosque (1823–1826)

Selimiye Barracks (1800, burnt 1806)

Davutpaşa Barracks (1826–1827)

Beyoğlu Barracks

Istanbul Mint

Valide Dam

Topuzlu Dam

Fire Kiosk

Senekerim Balyan

Senekerim Balyan (1768–1833) was the son of Architect Magar and the younger brother of Krikor Balyan. He worked together with his brother, but remained in the background. He rebuilt the Beyazit Fire Tower, which had been constructed in wood in 1826 by his brother Krikor, but destroyed after a fire. He died in Jerusalem and was buried in the Armenian church yard.

Senekerim's works:

Beyazıt Fire Tower (1828)

Ortaköy Soorp Asdvadzazdin Armenian Church (1824)

Garabet Amira Balyan

Garabet Amira Balyan (Karabet Balyan; 1800–1866) was born in Istanbul. At his father's death, he was very young and not experienced enough to take over his father's position by himself. Thus he served alongside his uncle-in-law Mason Ohannes Serveryan. Garabet served during the reigns of Mahmud II (1808–1839), Abdul Mecid I (1839–1861), and Abdulaziz (1861–1876), and constructed numerous buildings in Constantinople. The best known of his works is Dolmabahçe Palace, which he built in collaboration with his son Nigoğayos. Another notable architectural work of his is Beylerbeyi Palace, which was built in cooperation with his other son Sarkis.

Garabet Balyan was also active in the Armenian community's educational and administrative matters and carried out research work on Armenian architecture. His four sons, Nigoğayos, Sarkis, Hagop, and Simon, succeeded him after he died of a heart attack in 1866 while conversing with friends.

Garabet’s notable works:

Dolmabahçe Palace, with Nigoğayos Balyan (1848–1856)

New Çırağan Palace

Yeşilköy Hünkar Kiosk

Old Yıldız Palace

Ortaköy Mosque, with Nigoğayos Balyan (1854)

Nusretiye Clock Tower (1848)

Beşiktaş Soorp Asdvadzazin Armenian Church (1834)

Kuruçeşme Soorp Nişan Armenian Church (1834)

Beyoğlu Soorp Yerrortutyun Church (1838)

Kumkapı Soorp Asdvadzazin Church

Academy of Fine Arts (former cannon foundry) building in Tophane

Fındıklı Cemile and Münire Sultan Palaces (1856–1859; today Mimar Sinan University)

İzmit Hünkar Palace

Academy of War

Mausoleum of Mahmut II with fountain (1840)

Bakırköy textile factory

Beykoz tannery (1842)

Hereke textile factory (1843)

Armenian hospital (1832–1834)

Nigoğayos Balyan

Nigoğayos Balyan (Nigoğos Balyan; 1826–1858) was the first son of Garabet Armira Balyan. In 1843, he was sent to Paris together with his brother Sarkis to study architecture at the Collège Sainte-Barbe de Paris. Due to an illness, however, he and his brother had to return to Constantinople in 1845. Working alongside his father Garabet, Nigoğayos gained experience. He was appointed arts advisor to Sultan Abdulmecid I (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 Constantinople in 1858 of typhoid fever at the age of 32.

Nigoğayos's notable works:

Küçük Mecidiye Mosque (1843)

Ihlamur Pavilion (1849)

Dolmabahçe Mosque, aka Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque (1852–1854)

Adile Sultan Pavilion, Validebağ (1853)

Ortaköy Mosque, together with Garabet Amira Balyan (1854)

Küçüksu Pavilion, aka Göksu Pavilion (1857)

Armenian Hospital

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 to Constantinople in 1845 due to an illness of his brother. In 1847, Sarkis went to Paris again to attend Collège Sainte-Barbe de Paris, which he finished after three years. Later, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts.

After returning to Constantinople, Sarkis began working alongside his father and his brother Nigoğayos. Following the deaths of these two, he continued his work with the younger brother Hagop. Sarkis won greater fame than Hagop because he constructed the structures his brother designed. Sarkis is also known as the designer of many buildings.

Known as a fast worker, his professional life was interrupted by the death of brother Hagop in 1875 and by Abdülhamid II's accession to the throne (1876–1909). Due to political accusations, he was forced into exile in Europe for 15 years, but eventually returned to Turkey through the intercession of Hagop Kazazian Pasha on his behalf.

His most important work is the Valide Sultan Kiosk. Interested in all branches of the fine arts, Sarkis supported Armenian writers, musicians, and particularly theater actors. He was also a member of the Armenian Patriarchate’s Assembly. He was awarded the title Sir Mimar (Chief Architect of Ottoman Empire).

Sarkis's notable works:

Beylerbeyi Palace, with his father Garabet Balyan (1861–1865)

Beşiktaş Makruhyan Armenian Primary School (1866; dedicated to the memory of his young died wife Makruhi)

Malta Pavilion (1870)

Çırağan Palace (1863–1871)

Valide Mosque, with brother Hagop Balyan (1871)

Zeytinburnu Gunpowder Factory (1874)

Beşiktaş-Akaretler 138 Terraced Houses (construction begun in 1874)

Esma Sultana Mansion, Ortaköy (1875)

Adile Sultana Palace, Kandilli (1876)

Dolmabahçe Clock Tower (1895)

Ministry of War (today the main building of Istanbul Technical University)

Imperial School of Medicine (today Galatasaray High School)

Maçka Arsenal (today the Faculty of Mining, Istanbul Technical University)

Baltalimanı Coastal Palace

Old kiosk on Galatasaray islet

Hagop Balyan

Hagop Balyan (1838–1875) was the third son of Garabet Balyan. He worked alongside his brother Sarkis on various projects in Constantinople. Hagop died in Paris in 1875 at the age of 37; he was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Simon Balyan

Simon Balyan (1848-1894) was the youngest son of Garabet Balyan. He was also an architect.

Levon Balyan

Levon Balyan (1855-1925) was the son of Nigoğayos Balyan. He attended Collège Sainte-Barbe de Paris in 1869.

References

Finkel, Caroline, Osman's Dream (Basic Books, 2005), 57: "Istanbul was only adopted as the city's official name in 1930 ...".

Göyünç, Nejat, Turkish-Armenian Cultural Relations (Turkish National Assembly, n.d.).

Category:Ottoman architects Category:Armenian architects Category:Armenian families Category:Ottoman Armenians Category:People of the Ottoman Empire Category:Ottoman families

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