Sultan?s areas with their ornaments in İstanbul mosques (1808-190)

Westernization effect that left its mark on the final stage of the Ottoman Empire is still sensible today. Probably, the Empire that had been one of the most important figures of the world history for hundreds of years had its most unsteady, most difficult years during this period and it began to take west as an example while it was a figure that was being taken as an example. Although this westernization started militarily, it is spread to every aspect of the Ottoman life. When looked from this view, it is quite normal for westernization to start form the very top, from the administration of the state. When the conditions of the era are examined, we see Sultans that knew several languages and that received art education and trained by westerner tutors. These Sultans had thoughts about proceeding to advanced systems from the systems in which the rulers could be destroyed in seconds, and their authorities were not strong. That is why, this change started primarily from administration, court, and army.When observed from architectural point of view, it is seen that many palaces after Topkapı Palace were constructed with a western style. Accordingly, after the palaces, this change is observed in Mosques of the Sultans. The place where this change is observed clearly is Sultan?s Area, the sections that are constructed directly for the Sultans in the mosque. These structures became integrated with the religious structures and brought civil architecture and palace atmosphere to the mosques.When most of the mosques are examined, it is seen that these parts were used for political and bureaucratic meetings, ambassador receptions. Such important places could not be decorated like ordinary places. These special places in the structures of the era are seen in the constructions of 1808 - 1909 period. The Sultan's Area in the mosques of this period is the subject of our thesis. In the studies made about the Sultan?s Areas in the mosques, there is no thesis talking about the ornaments in these places.The Sultans that reigned during the period 1808 and 1909 are Mahmut II (1808?1839), Abdülmecit I (1839?11861), Abdülaziz (1861?1876), Abdülhamit (1876?1909). This period stands out as the period that westernization was experienced intensively. The mosques of the era Beylerbeyi Mosque, Nusretiye Mosque, Tevkifiye Mosque, Beşiktaş Asariye Mosque, Küçük Mecidiye Mosque, Hırkayı Şerif Mosque, Ortaköy Mosque, Çorlulu Ali Paşa Mosque, Teşvikiye Mosque, Yıldız (Hamidiye) Mosque are the mosques that were constructed personally by the Sultans and they had Sultan's Areas added for themselves. In these mosques, Hand-Carves, Wall Painting techniques, and materials like Wood, Plaster, Stone, Ceramics, Metal and ornaments made by using different techniques are seen. These ornaments can be observed together or individually almost on the surface of the whole structure. It is hard to talk about a common style used in these ornaments. The ornamentation styles exhibit a complexity as the socioeconomic state of the era. Nusretiye Mosque is renowned for its plaster and wall painting, Beylerbeyi Mosque is renowned for its painting in Sultan's Area, Hırkayı Şerif Mosque is renowned for its plaster and wall painting, Küçük Mecidiye Mosque is renowned for its plaster works, Ortaköy Mosque is renowned especially for its wall painting, and Yıldız Mosque is renowned for its wood works and hand-carves.In this study, these features are ascertained, and the current states and style similarities tried to be presented.