Ottoman Government Mansions

Ottoman Government Mansions Book Description Government mansions, which are one of the new building types brought to the urban space by the Tanzimat, are completely different from the buildings known by names such as "pasha's gate", "governor's palace" or "governor's mansion" in the previous period. These structures, which have appeared in all Ottoman provinces, even in small administrative centers, since the 1860s, mean that the state has attained a "constructed reality" and has become embodied rather than an abstract and vague phenomenon. Thus, the phenomenon of personalized local power began to disappear, and the transition from the patronage and affiliation system to professionalism and bureaucratism began. These structures, required by the new functions undertaken by the state as an extension of the Tanzimat reforms, should also be seen as symbolic power centers. From this period onwards, the Ottoman sultans were represented in official service buildings of a purely civil character, rather than in the monumental mosques they built for the legitimacy of their reign. Symbolic indicators of political power, such as the sultan's signature, the state coat of arms or the banner, are now displayed in state buildings used for daily business, thus creating a "ready" state image in the public space everywhere and at all times. A new "public site" was formed with official buildings such as barracks, high school, junior high school, courthouse, gendarmerie office, municipality, post office and even prison, which were mostly located right around it, and more importantly, this area, which was called "government square", was now very important in Ottoman urban life. It has been the venue for more frequent official celebrations, opening ceremonies, speeches and even mass demonstrations. (From the Promotional Bulletin)