Ottoman Period Houses in the Balkans

In addition to the housing culture that Turkish tradition brought to the region, local characteristics and the diversity resulting from communal living are gradually evolving into an interesting and functional structure.

On the other hand, the Ottoman housing heritage cannot be adequately preserved due to the turbulent period the region has undergone. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the residences featured with photographs and drawings in this work can no longer be seen today.

This research has a history of over a decade. A year of preparation in Viennese libraries, which served as a center for Balkan studies in 1985, was integrated with detailed trips in 1989 and 1990. These trips took place just before the political changes and subsequent turmoil that soon began in the countries subject to the research. In this context, the findings and documentations made stood out as an opportunity perhaps provided by history, just before the destruction and eradication.