The Balyan family (; ) was a prominent

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...

family in the

Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...

of court architects in the service of

Ottoman sultans The sultans of the Ottoman Empire (), who were all members of the Ottoman dynasty (House of Osman), ruled over the Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental empire from its perceived inception in 1299 to Dissolution of the Ottoman Em ...

and other members of the

Ottoman dynasty The Ottoman dynasty () consisted of the members of the imperial House of Osman (), also known as the Ottomans (). According to Ottoman tradition, the family originated from the Kayı tribe branch of the Oghuz Turks, under the leadership of Os ...

during the 18th and 19th centuries. For five generations, they designed and constructed numerous major buildings in the

, including

palace A palace is a large residence, often serving as a royal residence or the home for a head of state or another high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome whi ...

mansion A mansion is a large dwelling house. The word itself derives through Old French from the Latin word ''mansio'' "dwelling", an abstract noun derived from the verb ''manere'' "to dwell". The English word ''manse'' originally defined a property l ...

s, konaks,

kiosk Historically, a kiosk () was a small garden pavilion open on some or all sides common in Iran, Persia, the Indian subcontinent, and in the Ottoman Empire from the 13th century onward. Today, several examples of this type of kiosk still exist ...

s, yalis,

mosque A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard. Originally, mosques were si ...

church Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a place/building for Christian religious activities and praying * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian comm ...

es, and various public buildings, mostly in

Constantinople Constantinople (#Names of Constantinople, see other names) was a historical city located on the Bosporus that served as the capital of the Roman Empire, Roman, Byzantine Empire, Byzantine, Latin Empire, Latin, and Ottoman Empire, Ottoman empire ...

(present-day

Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...

Ancestors

Bali the Mason

Bali or Balen the Mason ( or ''Meremmetçi Balen Kalfa''), a

masonry Masonry is the craft of building a structure with brick, stone, or similar material, including mortar plastering which are often laid in, bound, and pasted together by mortar (masonry), mortar. The term ''masonry'' can also refer to the buildin ...

craftsman Craftsman may refer to: A profession *Artisan, a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative *Master craftsman, an artisan who has achieved such a standard that he may establish his own workshop and take o ...

from the Belen village of

Karaman Karaman is a city in south central Turkey, located in Central Anatolia, north of the Taurus Mountains, about south of Konya. It is the seat of Karaman Province and Karaman District.Anatolia Anatolia (), also known as Asia Minor, is a peninsula in West Asia that makes up the majority of the land area of Turkey. It is the westernmost protrusion of Asia and is geographically bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean ...

, was the founder of the dynasty. He moved to Istanbul, where he learned of an Armenian palace architect of Sultan

Mehmed IV Mehmed IV (; ; 2 January 1642 – 6 January 1693), nicknamed as Mehmed the Hunter (), was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1648 to 1687. He came to the throne at the age of six after his father was overthrown in a coup. Mehmed went on to b ...

(1648–1687), whom he met and replaced, being Armenian himself. When Bali died in 1725, his son Magar took his place as architect at the sultan's court.

Magar the Architect

Magar the Architect () was charged with important projects and was consequently frequently promoted to higher ranks. However, as a result of a

denunciation Denunciation (from Latin ''denuntiare'', "to denounce") is the act of publicly assigning to a person the blame for a perceived wrongdoing, with the hope of bringing attention to it. Notably, centralized social control in authoritarian states r ...

, he was driven away from the court of Sultan

Mahmud I Mahmud I (, ; 2 August 1696 13 December 1754), known as Mahmud the Hunchback, was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1730 to 1754. He took over the throne after the quelling of the Patrona Halil rebellion. His reign was marked by wars in P ...

(1730–1754) to exile in the eastern Anatolian town of

Bayburt Bayburt () is a city in northeast Turkey lying on the Çoruh River. It is the seat of Bayburt Province and Bayburt District.Krikor Balyan The Balyan family (; ) was a prominent Armenian family in the Ottoman Empire of court architects in the service of Ottoman sultans and other members of the Ottoman dynasty during the 18th and 19th centuries. For five generations, they designed ...

(1764–1831) *** Senekerim Balyan (1768–1833) *** Garabet Amira Balyan (1800–1866) **** Nigoğayos Balyan (1826–1858) ***** Levon Balyan (1855-?) ****

Sarkis Balyan The Balyan family (; ) was a prominent Armenian family in the Ottoman Empire of court architects in the service of Ottoman sultans and other members of the Ottoman dynasty during the 18th and 19th centuries. For five generations, they designed ...

(1835–1899) **** Hagop Balyan (1838–1875) **** Simon Balyan (1848–1894)

Members

Krikor Balyan

Krikor Balyan (, also known as 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 Abdulhamid I or Abdul Hamid I (, ''`Abdü’l-Ḥamīd-i evvel''; ; 20 March 1725 – 7 April 1789) was the 27th sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1774 to 1789. A devout and pacifist sultan, he inherited a bankrupt empire and sought military r ...

(r. 1774–87). He became unofficial advisor to Sultan

Selim III Selim III (; ; was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1789 to 1807. Regarded as an enlightened ruler, he was eventually deposed and imprisoned by the Janissaries, who placed his cousin Mustafa on the throne as Mustafa IV (). A group of a ...

(r. 1789–1807), and was close to Sultan

Mahmud II Mahmud II (, ; 20 July 1785 – 1 July 1839) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1808 until his death in 1839. Often described as the "Peter the Great of Turkey", Mahmud instituted extensive administrative, military, and fiscal reforms ...

(r. 1808–1839). He was exiled in 1820 to

Kayseri Kayseri () is a large List of cities in Turkey, city in Central Anatolia, Turkey, and the capital of Kayseri Province, Kayseri province. Historically known as Caesarea (Mazaca), Caesarea, it has been the historical capital of Cappadocia since anc ...

in central

Anatolia Anatolia (), also known as Asia Minor, is a peninsula in West Asia that makes up the majority of the land area of Turkey. It is the westernmost protrusion of Asia and is geographically bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean ...

, because of his involvement in a dispute between Gregorian and

Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

Armenians. He was pardoned and allowed to return to Istanbul shortly after a friend of his in the palace, Amira Bezjian. Krikor died in 1831 after serving the empire during the reigns of four sultans,

(r. 1774–87),

(r. 1789–1807),

Mustafa IV Mustafa IV (; ; 8 September 1779 – 16 November 1808) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1807 to 1808. Early life Mustafa IV was born on 8 September 1779 in Constantinople. He was the son of Sultan Abdul Hamid I (1774–1789) and Si ...

(r. 1807–8)), and

(r. 1808–39). His young and inexperienced son Garabet Amira succeeded him. Krikor's major works include * Sarayburnu Palace (burned 1875) *

Beşiktaş Beşiktaş () is a district and municipality of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 18 km2 and its population is 175,190 (2022). It is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus strait. It is bordered on the north by Sarıyer and ...

Palace *

Çırağan Palace Çırağan Palace (), a former Ottoman palace, is now a five-star hotel in the Kempinski Hotels chain. It is located on the European shore of the Bosporus, between Beşiktaş and Ortaköy in Istanbul, Turkey. The Sultan Suite, billed at pe ...

(burned by Janissaries) * Arnavutköy Valide Sultan Palace * Defterdar Sultan Palace * Aynalıkavak Pavilion * Tophane Nusretiye Mosque (1823–1826) *

Taksim Military Barracks The Taksim Military Barracks or Halil Pasha Artillery Barracks ( or ''Halil Paşa Topçu Kışlası'') were located at the site of the present-day Taksim Gezi Park next to Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1806. During the 31 Ma ...

Selimiye Barracks Selimiye Barracks (), also known as Scutari Barracks, is a Turkish Army barracks located in Selimiye in the Üsküdar district on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey. It was originally built in 1800 by Sultan Selim III for the soldiers of the ...

(1800, burnt 1806) *

Davutpaşa Barracks Davutpaşa Barracks () were Ottoman Army barracks built in the 1800s and located at Davutpaşa neighborhood of Esenler district on the European part of Istanbul, Turkey. The building was used later as a shelter for immigrants during the Balkan War ...

(1826–1827) *

Beyoğlu Beyoğlu (; ) is a municipality and Districts of Turkey, district of Istanbul Province, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 9 km2, and its population is 225,920 (2022). It is on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey, separated from the o ...

Barracks * Istanbul Mint *

Valide Dam Valide Dam () is a historic dam located in Sarıyer district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Valide Dam was built in 1796 by Ottoman Sultan Selim III (reigned 1789–1807) to provide water for the donations in Eyüp of his mother Mihrişah Sulta ...

Topuzlu Dam Topuzlu Dam () is a historic dam located in Sarıyer district of Istanbul Province in Turkey. Topuzlu Dam was built in 1750 by Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I (reigned 1730–1754). In 1786, its crest was raised about higher by Abdul Hamid I (reigned ...

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 include the Beyazıt Fire Tower (1828) and the Surp Asdvadzazdin Armenian Church in

Ortaköy Ortaköy (, ''Middle Village)'' is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Beşiktaş, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its population is 9,121 (2024). It is on the European shore of the Bosphorus. it was originally a small fishing villag ...

(1824).

Garabet Amira Balyan

Garabet Amira Balyan (; 1800–1866) was born in Constantinople. 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 An uncle is usually defined as a male relative who is a sibling of a parent or married to a sibling of a parent, as well as the parent of the cousins. Uncles who are related by birth are second-degree relatives. The female counterpart of an un ...

Mason Ohannes Serveryan. Garabet served during the reigns of

(1808–1839), Abdul Mecid I (1839–1861), and

Abdulaziz Abdulaziz (; ; 8 February 18304 June 1876) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 25 June 1861 to 30 May 1876, when he was overthrown in a government coup. He was a son of Sultan Mahmud II and succeeded his brother Abdulmejid I in 1861. Ab ...

(1861–1876), and constructed numerous buildings in Istanbul. The best known of his works is

Dolmabahçe Palace Dolmabahçe Palace ( ) is a 19th-century imperial palace located in Istanbul, Turkey, along the European shore of the Bosporus, which served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922. Histor ...

, which he built in collaboration with his son Nigoğayos. Another notable architectural work of his is

Beylerbeyi Palace The Beylerbeyi Palace () is a 19th-century Ottoman palace located in the Beylerbeyi neighborhood of Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, on the Asian shore of the Bosporus. Commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and completed between 1861 and 1865, the ...

, 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.
Turkis Cultural Foundation, Garabed Amira Balyan Garabet's notable works: *

, with Nigoğayos Balyan (1848–56) * New

Yeşilköy (; meaning "Green Village"; prior to 1926, San Stefano or Santo Stefano , ) is an affluent neighbourhood () in the municipality and district of Bakırköy, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its population is 25,039 (2022). on the Marmara Sea about ...

Hünkar Kiosk * Old Yıldız Palace *

Ortaköy Mosque Ortaköy Mosque (), formally the Büyük Mecidiye Camii () in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, is a mosque situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus. It was commissioned by the Ottom ...

, with Nigoğayos Balyan (1854) *

Nusretiye Clock Tower Nusretiye Clock Tower, aka Tophane Clock Tower, is a clock tower situated at Tophane, a neighborhood in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey, next to Nusretiye Mosque and Tophane Kiosk at the European waterfront of Bosphorus. It was ordered by t ...

(1848) *

Soorp Asdvadzazin Armenian Church (1834) * Kuruçeşme Soorp Nişan Armenian Church (1834) *

Soorp Yerrortutyun Church (1838) *

Kumkapı Kumkapı (meaning "sand gate" in Turkish) is a quarter in Fatih district of Istanbul. It is located along the northern shore of Marmara Sea. Up to recent times, Kumkapı is the center of the Armenian community of the city, boasting a school and ...

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 Bakırköy is a municipality and Districts of Turkey, district in the European part of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 29 km2, and its population is 226,685 (2022). Bakırköy lies between the State road D.100 (Turkey), D.100 highway (l ...

textile factory *

Beykoz Beykoz () is a municipality and Districts of Turkey, district of Istanbul Province, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 310 km2, and its population is 247,875 (2022). It lies at the northern end of the Bosphorus on the Anatolian side. The name i ...

tannery (1842) * Hereke textile factory (1843) * Armenian hospital (1832–1834)

Nigoğayos Balyan

Nigoğayos Balyan (; also known as 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 Istanbul in 1845. Working alongside his father Garabet, Nigoğayos gained experience. He was appointed arts advisor to Sultan

Abdulmecid I ʻAbd al-Majīd (ALA-LC romanization of , ), also spelled as Abd ul Majid, Abd ul-Majid, Abd ol Majid, Abd ol-Majid, and Abdolmajid, is a Muslim male given name and, in modern usage, surname. It is built from the Arabic words '' ʻabd'' and ''al-Maj ...

(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

(1842–1856). He participated in the preparations for the

Armenian National Constitution The Armenian National Constitution (; ) or Regulation of the Armenian Nation () was a constitution in the Ottoman Empire for members of the Gregorian Armenian Millet. Promulgated in 1863, it defined the powers of the Armenian Patriarch, a newly ...

. Nigoğayos died in Istanbul in 1858 of

typhoid fever Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a disease caused by '' Salmonella enterica'' serotype Typhi bacteria, also called ''Salmonella'' Typhi. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and usually begin six to 30 days after exposure. Often th ...

at the age of 32. Nigoğayos's notable works: *

Küçük Mecidiye Mosque The Küçük Mecidiye Mosque () is an Ottoman mosque in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey. It was built from the order of Sultan Abdülmecid I by Nigoğos Balyan, member of the Balyan family. The mosque is located on the Çırağan Stre ...

(1843) * Ihlamur Pavilion (1849) * Dolmabahçe Mosque, aka Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque (1852–1854) * Adile Sultan Pavilion, Validebağ (1853) *

, together with Garabet Amira Balyan (1854) *

Küçüksu Pavilion Küçüksu Pavilion (), Littlewater Pavilion a.k.a. Göksu (Skywater) Pavilion, is a summer pavilion in Istanbul, Turkey, situated in the Küçüksu neighborhood of Beykoz district on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus between Anadoluhisarı and the ...

, 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 Istanbul in 1845 due to an illness of his brother. In 1847, Sarkis went to Paris again to attend

Collège Sainte-Barbe The Collège Sainte-Barbe () is a former college in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. The Collège Sainte-Barbe was founded in 1460 on Montagne Sainte-Geneviève ( Latin Quarter, Paris). It was until its closure in June 1999 the "oldest ...

de Paris, which he finished after three years. Later, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. After returning to Istanbul, 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 Abdulhamid II or Abdul Hamid II (; ; 21 September 184210 February 1918) was the 34th sultan of the Ottoman Empire, from 1876 to 1909, and the last sultan to exert effective control over the fracturing state. He oversaw a period of decline wit ...

'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 Hagop Kazazian Pasha (alternative spelling: ''Agop Kazazyan'') (1836–1891) was a high-ranking Ottoman Armenian official, who served as the Minister of Finance and the Minister of the Privy Treasury during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Fa ...

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 Patriarchate (, ; , ''patriarcheîon'') is an ecclesiological term in Christianity, referring to the office and jurisdiction of a patriarch. According to Christian tradition, three patriarchates—Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria—were establi ...

's Assembly. He was awarded the title Ser Mimar (Chief Architect of Ottoman Empire). Bosfor B17-35

Sarkis's notable works: *

, with his father Garabet Balyan (1861–1865) *

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

Malta Pavilion The Malta Kiosk (), also known as the Malta Pavilion, is a historic imperial Ottoman residence located within the garden of the Yıldız Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. The two-storey pavilion was commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz (reigned 1861&ndas ...

(1870) *

(1863–1871) * Valide Mosque, with brother Hagop Balyan (1871) *

Zeytinburnu Zeytinburnu (literally, ''Olive Cape'') is a municipality and Districts of Turkey, district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 12 km2, and its population is 292,616 (2022). It is a working-class area on the European side of Istanbul, T ...

Gunpowder Factory (1874) * Beşiktaş-Akaretler 138 Terraced Houses (construction begun in 1874) * Esma Sultan Mansion, Ortaköy (1875) *

Adile Sultan Palace Adile Sultan Palace () is the former royal residence of Ottoman Empire, Ottoman princess Adile Sultan. It was donated to the state by Adile Sultan to be used as a school building for the Kandilli Anatolian High School for Girls and is today a cu ...

, Kandilli (1876) *

Dolmabahçe Clock Tower Dolmabahçe Clock Tower () is a clock tower situated outside Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. Its construction was ordered by Ottoman sultan Abdülhamid II (1842–1918) and designed by the court architect Sarkis Balyan between 1890 and ...

(1895) * Ministry of War (today the main building of Istanbul Technical University) * Imperial School of Medicine (today

Galatasaray High School Galatasaray High School (, ), established in Istanbul in 1481, is the oldest and Selective school, highly selective high school in Turkey. It is also the second-oldest Turkish educational institution after Istanbul University, which was establi ...

) * Maçka Arsenal (today the Faculty of Mining, Istanbul Technical University) * Baltalimanı Coastal Palace * Old kiosk on Galatasaray islet * Holy Mother of God cathedral in

Aintab Gaziantep, historically Aintab and still informally called Antep, is a major city in south-central Turkey. It is the capital of the Gaziantep Province, in the westernmost part of Turkey's Southeastern Anatolia Region and partially in the Medit ...

(currently, the

Liberation Mosque Liberation Mosque (), formerly the St. Mary's Cathedral or Holy Mother of God Church (), is located in the Tepebaşı district of Şahinbey, Gaziantep in Turkey. Initially built as an Armenian Apostolic church, it was converted into a stable afte ...

)

Hagop Balyan

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

Père Lachaise Cemetery Père Lachaise Cemetery (, , formerly , ) is the largest cemetery in Paris, France, at . With more than 3.5 million visitors annually, it is the most visited necropolis in the world. Buried at Père Lachaise are many famous figures in the ...

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

in Paris in 1869.

Buildings and structures

Buildings and structures designed and constructed by Balyan family members:
Turkish Cultural Foundation

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 National Assembly, n.d.). {{DEFAULTSORT:Balyan Family Architects from the Ottoman Empire Ethnic Armenian architects Armenian families Armenians from the Ottoman Empire Families from the Ottoman Empire