The analysis of early period of Ottoman architecture in Tire

Tire, one of Anatolia's historical towns, is home to a rich architectural inheritance that goes back as far as ancient times. At the beginning of the 14th Century the town came under Turkish rule and enriched by the construction activities during the periods of the Aydınoğulları followed by that of the Ottomans, the town became the centre of the district of Aydın and one of the most important towns in Anatolia. In contrast to the architectural richness during the Turkish period, the fact that a large number of the Tire buildings dating between the 14th and 16th Centuries have no epigraphs and deeds poses considerable dating problems. In this study, an attempt has been made to resolve the problems of dating firstly by taking into account the architectural specifications of the buildings, the urban location and historical records. By examining as a whole the buildings that have been determined as having been constructed in the early Ottoman period, the aim has been to analyse the character thereof and to assess the architectural development in both Tire and in the period. The buildings constructed in the early Ottoman period constitute an important place in Tire's architectural and urban development. In particular, during the period of the town succumbing to Ottoman influence, the town planning activities carried out by Halil Yahşi Bey form the town's main structure that has endured to the present day. Nine mosques, two madrasas, seven mausoleums, two bathhouses, one covered bazaar and two inns all belonging to the early Ottoman period are prominent, not for the materials used but for their design and decorative specifications. But when these buildings are compared with the architecture of the period they provide important data pertaining to the town's architectural identity and the change that took place.