The historical development of Voyvoda (Bankalar) Street and Hezaren Han

The Galata district has been one of the dense settlements of İstanbul throughout the ages. Being a harbor city makes the district a center of commerce and a residential zone as well. Voyvoda Street can be easily identified as the center of the district. Especially from the second half of the nineteenth century, the street became the financial center of the capital. This 300 meter long street was one of the milestones of the Ottoman modernism. Hezaren Han is one of the indicators that shows how Voyvoda Street and the financial life of Ottoman Empire has been changed. The building was designed as an office building. Due to the developing facilities, the building was built by Alexandre Vallauri, a Levantine architect, in a short term like 5 months. Keywords: Galata, Voyvoda Street, Hezaren Han, XIX. Century architecture, Alexandre Vallauri.