Armenian Architects of Westernizing Istanbul

Dolmabahçe Palace, Süreyya Cinema, Akaretler, Ihlamur Pavilion, Selimiye Barracks, Beyazıt Tower, Çırağan Palace, Kuleli, Tobacco Warehouse, Surp Pırgiç Hospital, Büyükada Pier and many more. The Westernization process, also known as Ottoman Modernization, which covered the entire 19th century and continued until the early 20th century, changed the physical appearance of Istanbul. Armenian architects played a major role in this change, including the Balyans, followed by Ohannes Serveryan, Mıgırdiç Çarkyan, Bedros Nemtze, Mihran Azaryan, Hovsep Aznavur, Levon Güreğyan, brothers Aram and İsak Karakaş, Keğam Kavafyan, Yetvart Terziyan, Andon and Garabed Tülbentçiyan, who initially trained in the market, then graduated from schools in European countries, and finally from the School of Fine Arts (Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi). Edited by Hasan Kuruyazıcı, the book, which is a first in its field, introduces Armenian architects and their works that contributed to Istanbul's architectural richness, featuring articles by Levent Çalıkoğlu, Edhem Eldem, Afife Batur, Alyson Wharton, Ahmet Ersoy, Elmon Hançer, and Lora Baytar. Published by the Hrant Dink Foundation as part of the 2010 Istanbul European Capital of Culture events, "Armenian Architects of Westernizing Istanbul" was prepared bilingually in Turkish and English.