Detail from Botter Apartment in Beyoglu
Art Nouveau was an artistic movement at the beginning of the 20th Century characterized by fluid lines, asymmetrical compositions, flowing motifs deriving their inspiration from nature with its floral forms. The movement had found expression in all walks of life from architecture, furniture to graphic and jewellery design. Europe followed by US was fascinated with Art Nouveau from 1890s till 1910, a period defined as the ‘belle époque’.
One thinks of Barcelona when one hears of ‘Art Nouveau’. But all one needs to do is to look closely at buildings in older districts in Istanbul to realize that Istanbul is also a city of Art Nouveau. One basic difference between the Art Nouveau buildings in Istanbul compared to Barcelona is that they are not as accentuated with restorations and lightening as they are in Barcelona. Rather they are secret gems waiting to be discovered by a glance or a restoration project that will revive them to their original glory,
Ottoman ruling classes and the elites were fond of Art Nouveau and had commissioned palaces, mansions, yalis (sea side mansions), commercial buildings and even mosques in the Art Nouveau style. or with Art Nouveau details finding their expressions in glassware, tiles and iron work.
And there are so many beautiful examples of them all across the old neighbourhoods of the city such as Beyoglu, Sisli, Besiktas, Bebek, Kadikoy and the Princess Islands. All of these neighbourhoods were places where the Ottoman elites lived, worked and went for summer vacations at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.
Art critics say that the Art Nouveau in Istanbul has found its expression not so much in the architectural designs of buildings but rather in their ornamented details.
An Art Nouveau masterpiece located in Bebek: Hidiva Palace which currently belongs to the Egyptian Embassy
One of the last Sultans of the Ottoman Empire Abdulhamid II was fond of Art Nouveau and had commissioned his Palace named Yildiz Sarayi (literally meaning the Palace of the Star) located in Besiktas to be constructed with Art Nouveau details. Yildiz Palace is made of many chalets or pavilions. Not all the chalets are open to public but you can visit one of them called the ‘Sale Kosku’ (Star Chalet Kiosk) in which you can see Art Nouveau details on walls, ceilings, tiles, stoves and even the carpets.
Yildiz (Star) Chalet Kiosk
You can see the Art Nouveau details in the following photos taken from Yildiz Chalet.
Stove from Star Chalet Kiosk
Ceiling decoration in Star Chalet Kiosk
Very close to the gardens of Yildiz Sarayi, there is a very unique mausoleum built in Art Nouveau style. I always think that it is one of the most unique mausoleums of a Muslim mystic not only in Istanbul but across the world cities.
Şeyh Zafir mausoleum built in Art Nouveau style
A closer look at Şeyh Zafir mausoleum shows the elegance of details
Now, it is time to go all the way to Beyoglu to witness some of the most interesting Art Nouveau buildings in the city.
A Glimpse at Beyoglu
I will especially mention three of them.
Start walking from the Tunel square and on your right, you will see a secret gem that has been recently discovered by the Istanbul Municipality and a detailed restoration project is keen on restoring it to its original glory. Art critics say that it is the first Art Nouveau building in Istanbul built in 1901.
The building originally belonged to the tailor of the Sultan Abdulhanid II. He was a Dutch man called Botter and he had especially designed the exterior of the building himself. He was the first person to organise fashion shows in Istanbul in his apartment building. He is also known to have been the tailor of Ataturk (the founder of the Turkish Republic). The building is named after him and is called Botter Apartment.
Raimondo D’Aronco (1857-1932) was the architect of Botter Apartment
Botter Apartment sketch by D’aronco
It is not possible to see much of the building as it is covered during the restoration period but here are some photos for you so you have a glimpse of its beauty.
Botter Apartment detail
Botter Apartment’s entrance
Botter Apartment’s Stairs with Art Nouveau details
We can not wait to see Botter Apartment after its restoration which will be an Arts and Design Center for Istanbulites.
Here is a video prepared by the Istanbul Municipality showing the current condition of the Botter Apartment. In the video you can also see the beautiful Art Nouveau details waiting to be restored to their original beauty.
If you keep on walking, you shall come across the second Art Nouveau building I will mention on your right very close to the Botter Apartment. This is currently a hotel named Ravouna 1906 Suites hosting a cafe on the first floor so I suggest you drop by for a cup of coffee. It was originally built in 1906 as an apartment building but the first two floors were planned as a two story store. All the original wood work is fully preserved. Something extremely rare for a city like Istanbul.
Ravouna 1906 Suites
View from the Upper Chamber of the Ravouna Cafe
If you keep on walking, on your left, you will see the Markiz Patisserie. The patisserie has a history that goes back to 1940s and was the meeting point of Istanbulites like my parents till the end of 1970s. It briefly opened in 2003 to be closed forever. But we are lucky that the building and the interior of the patisserie is preserved so you can have a look at it from the window to see the beautiful Art Nouveau tiles.
Markiz Patisserie
And don’t forget that there are so many Art Nouveau buildings and details across the old districts of Istanbul waiting to be discovered!
