Research Information System
Art-Sanat Dergisi, vol.24, pp.488-518, 2025 (ESCI)
This research analyses the historical and architectural significance of Bulgur Palas, an iconic and monumental example of civil architecture in the Cerrahpaşa district of Istanbul. Commissioned by Bolu Deputy Mehmed Habib Bey, the building is a noteworthy example of the First National Architectural Style. Built as an ostentatious residential complex, the function of Bulgur Palas has transformed throughout time due to war, economic hardships, and social dynamics. Therefore, the building became a symbol of sociopolitical transformations from the late Ottoman era to Republican Turkey. The complex, with its monumental brick façade and unique structural aspects, sheds light on the design principles of its period. Bulgur Palas has recently been repurposed as a cultural center after a comprehensive restoration. This article is composed of three sections. The first part focuses on Habib Bey, the patron of the building and a controversial figure of his time. The second section analyses the parts of the building complex, reveals its construction date and history, and discusses its role in architectural history. The last part is dedicated to the characteristic architectural and decorative program of the structure. In this context, the story of Bulgur Palas and its patron offers a unique narrative of the dissolution of the Ottoman State and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. This study, focusing on a significant component of Istanbul’s urban heritage, documents the architectural and historical past of the structure and hopes to become a source for future research.