A research on the Ankara Synagogue along with the houses of Albukrek and Araf at the jewish quarter located in Ankara, Birlik sokak within the context of 19th century ottoman westernization

The Reformist movements that began with the Industrial Revolution in Europe at the end of the 18th century resulted in ethnically diverse communities having equal rights as the native population. In the same period, a new approach called Westernization emerged within the Ottoman Empire that used Western models with traditional aspects. This approach was shaped by its own internal dynamics along with the pressures imposed by the West. The search for new markets led Europe to interfere with the internal affairs of the Ottoman Empire, through the principle of equality. The minority groups in Ottoman Empire were already living autonomously within the `National System?. They gained equal rights as the Muslims by the rescripts promulgated in the 19th century. Within this context, 19th century is a significant era in which, the Jews who lived as a minority in both Europe and Ottoman Empire acquired their civil rights and expressed them in the field of architecture. The purpose of this study is to define the impact of Westernization based on the socio-economic, cultural and demographic data by the architectural readings done in the Jewish Quarter of Ankara. It is focused on the Ankara Synagogue and the Araf and Albukrek houses across it. The aim is to position the Jewish community that lived in Ankara and understand whether they were influenced by the Ottoman Westernization or by direct Western impacts. The Ankara Synagogue and the houses were evaluated by comparing them to the examples found in the Ottoman Empire and the West. The evaluation was conducted within the overall context of the Jewish architecture defined by the Jewish Identity that is classified within the historical continuity. This thesis, ultimately points out that the Jewish community who lived in Ankara shows a western influence in its relationship with the city, façade layout and adornment. It also shows a traditional approach the maintained organization of space and spatial qualities. This attitude of the Jews of Ankara presents a differentiating stance from other rapidly Westernized non-Muslim communities. However a similar stance with the Muslims who act more cautiously towards the Western impacts was observed.