Ottoman palace
The
Ibrahim Pasha Palace
(
Turkish
:
?brahim Pa?a Sarayı)
is an
Ottoman
imperial court residence of
Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha
. It is located in
Sultanahmet Square
of
Fatih
district in
Istanbul
,
Turkey
. Currently, the building is mainly used as the
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
(
Turkish
:
Turk ve ?slam Eserleri Muzesi
).
Initially named the Hippodrome Palace due to its location at the
Hippodrome of Constantinople
, it took later its name from Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha (1494?1536), who served as the
Grand Vizier
of
Suleiman the Magnificent
(reigned 1520?1566) from 1523 until his execution in 1536.
An important example of 16th-century
Ottoman architecture
, the building is situated on the grounds of
Eastern Roman Empire
's historical hippodrome.
[1]
According to Ottoman historian
Solakzade Mehmet Hemdemi Efendi
(1590?1657), even the construction date of the palace is not certainly known, it is believed that it coincides to the Sultan
Bayezid II
era (reigned 1481?1512). It is known that the building underwent repairs in 1521.
The palace saw many events such as
civil disorder
and revolts aside weddings, festivities and celebrations. After Ibrahim Pasha's strangling, the palace served as residence for other grand viziers, and functioned also as military quarters, embassy, revenue office, quarters for the
Ottoman military band
, sewing works and prison.
[1]
Republican era
[
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]
The building complex remained in state of neglect. Architect Sedat Cetinta? discovered the vacant building, which was considered to be demolished to make place for a new palace of justice. He published an article on the historical value of the building in the daily
Cumhuriyet
on June 5, 1938. This publication prevented indeed its demolition. However, sometime later the section of the palace consisting of
harem
and the ambassador's hall was pulled down in a hurry. Cetinta? struggled for twelve years to save the historical building.
[2]
The main argument for its demolition was the fact that it had been renovated by an Armenian at some point, for which it would not be able to be considered part of the Turkish patrimony.
[3]
The decision to keep the palace was taken during the presidency of
?smet ?nonu
in 1946.
[3]
Modern use
[
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]
A part of the still intact palace buildings hosted judicial archives of the
Ministry of Justice
between 1983 and 2012. Istanbul Directoriate of Land Registry and Cadastre houses in another section of the complex. An important section is reserved for the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. In 2012, the judicial archives moved out, and its space was transferred to the
Minister of Culture
to be appended to the museum. The Ministry of Culture initiated efforts to add the last remaining place to the museum.
[1]
[2]
Former Minister of Culture
Ertu?rul Gunay
campaigns for the rebuilding of the demolished section of the palace.
[4]
References
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edit
]