Ottoman vernacular architecture - Black Sea region style

Our time in Safranbolu introduced us to the Ottoman empire (1453-1919) vernacular architecture.  Originally a normadic people, the Seljuk Turks settled in many locations that were strategic to the Ottoman Empire once it overcame the older Byzantine, or Roman empire.  Generals were often placed in particular regions and, being weathly and powerful, they built the sorts of abodes that satisfied their new lifestyles fixed to one address..

These konaks (mansions) were constructed of wood, and were in essence two separate houses built as one, one side for the men and the other side for the women, the harem.  There was a staircase that came up between the two, with the centre being the common area, known as the sofa, and from which we English get the word 'sofa' (used for a piece of furniture that can hold several people together.



matresses and pillows kept in cupboards during the daytime

a sofa as it is currently used

The sofa is generally where peope ate and often slept as well, although portable matresses were kept in cupboards in rooms by day, and laid out in that room by night. 

Rooms had specific functions: cooking was conducted in one of the womens' side rooms, with other work (e.g., embroidery) done in another. Men would meet male visitors in one room and study or play music in a less formal room. 

Being shown the kitchen
there's a gap between the inside wall of the oven
and the outside wall to hold a metal pan for boiling water

 A lot of the rooms' needs were built into the room itself - long divans that went wall to wall, niches for prized objects, built-in cupboards behind doors, cooking pots inset between the back wall of the oven and the front wall, so that water could always be on the boil, with other pots placed on top for steaming.  Perhaps a few cooking pots, a brazier or large cushions might be the only portable furnishings.  After all, these people had been used to living in tents, or yurts, so not a  lot of 'stuff' was necessary.




Modelling bathtime

Christian getting ready for an konak bathing

toilet - note places to put your feet whle squatting
 here with helpful wooden slippers. 
note also the chute going outside,
and the urn holding water to 'flush'

photo taken before Ataturk outlawed the Fez hat



typical wood carved ceiling, but here with a vey boring disco ball
best used to reflect a crowd of architecture students



built in chair - note the niche and also
the clever hook built onto the arm to hold the door open

hiding the bed by day

clocks were painted with the time
that the house was finished

typical fireplace
note painting of a lantern and a water pipe



a konak from the outside