Historic embassy buildings contribute to Istanbul's heritage

Foreign countries were eager to establish embassies in the Ottoman Empire's capital city, Istanbul, after they were allowed to do so, not just because of the importance of the Empire's position in terms of world politics, but also due to the city's critical geographical location - regarded as the center of the region. Foreign governments chose to either move into already existing buildings, or build brandnew buildings or premises from scratch as a symbol of their relationship with the Ottomans. Situated in the most crucial locations of the city, these embassies - and later, consulates - still echo the long political history of the Ottoman Empire, as well as the Republic of Turkey. When you take a step back and observe the architecture of Istanbul's historical buildings, it is clear that they are all representative of different architectural schools. Presented here are some of these historical buildings that are situated in Istanbul.

The Swedish Consulate General



Known as the "Swedish Palace," the building of the Swedish Consulate General in Istanbul is a symbol of the long history between the Swedes and the Turks. The building, which is situated on İstiklal Avenue, Beyoğlu, is the oldest building owned by the Kingdom of Sweden on foreign soil. The area on which the palace stands was bought by the Swedish Kingdom from a British citizen living in the Ottoman Empire in 1757, but the first building burnt down in 1818 during the Easter celebrations. The consulate employees as well as the consul himself took shelter in the mansion within the consulate's complex until the new building was constructed. The current palace was opened in 1870 as a symbol of the long established relationship between the Sweden and the Ottomans.

Following the declaration of the Republic, all the embassies in Istanbul, including the Swedish embassy were moved to Ankara, the capital of the new Republic in 1920, and the Swedish Palace in Beyoğlu continued its services as consulate general.

Although the building has been renovated many times over the years, its rococo and Islamic style ornamentation and craftsmanship are proverbial. The building features a church for Protestants, which was built by the ambassadors in the 18th century and a large green space. The offices of the consulate are placed on the ground floor, while the top floors are used as the private residences of the consul. In 1964, the Sweden Research Institute was founded in Istanbul and the headquarters were moved to the Dragoman House situated on the garden of the Swedish Palace in 1974. The Institute featuring guest rooms, a library, and a comprehensive classroom for 50 people has been serving as a meeting place for Swedish and Turkish academicians as well as international seminars.

The British Consulate General



Located on Meşrutiyet Avenue in Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu, the British General Consulate building in Istanbul, also known as Pera House, dates back to the 19th century. The area where the building stands today was used by the French until the early 1800s. After a great fire, the French moved to the French Palace, which is situated near the Tunnel and the reigning Sultan of the time, Selim III gave the abandoned area to the British ambassador Lord Elgin to build an embassy building in 1801. However, the embassy building, which was built upon the request of the Sultan, burnt down in a fire in 1831. The building, which exists today began to be built by Sir Charles Barry and William James Smith in 1844 and was officially opened in the 1850s.

The three storey, Anglo-Italian styled building was damaged once again in 1870 and was renovated between 1872 and 1873. Over a century later, the building once again burnt down. During the restoration process, which took almost four years, Turkish and British experts examined the building and decided to bolster the ground floor and the ballroom, as well as the walls in order to be prepared for the expected Istanbul earthquake. Moreover, as part of the restoration, security was incorporated and the garden was revised. Following its restoration, the building was opened with a ceremony overseen by Prince Charles on Oct. 2004.

The German Consulate General

Built by Cologne-based state architect Hubert Goebbels in the 1870s, the consulate building of Germany was erected on Gümüşsuyu-İnönü Avenue. The building was harshly criticized at the time, as it looks like a mass of stones, contrasting the general architecture of Istanbul. The building features neither a front yard nor architectural craftsmanship. But it did serve the purpose of its construction - to emphasize the glory of a united Germany.

Until 1871, Germany comprised several princedoms that were governed by different policies. Otto von Bismarck, a Prussian politician, united all the princedoms and helped Germany to become one of the biggest states in the world. As they were one of the last European countries that formed their unity, Germans were behind in industrialization and colonization compared to the British Empire and France.

Three years after the princedoms were united, German officials wanted to build a consulate building in Istanbul that would be a show of strength. The Prussian consulate building had already served its time so, the officials began looking for an empty space for the construction. Although officials wanted to build their new consulate building in Pera, present-day Beyoğlu, where every European consulate building was located, there was not enough empty space for another consulate.

Having decided upon a large estate in Gümüşsuyu, the architect Goebbels began the construction in 1874 and the building was officially opened on Dec. 1, 1877. The starting point of the architect's design was "representing the country with Germany's typical national architecture on foreign soil."

The design of the facade of the building is dominated by the neo-renaissance approach, while the Prussian architectural style is emphasized with plain Classism through naked brick usage in the exterior of the building. Although Prussian and German styles stood out when it was first built, the interior of the building was decorated with Turkish rugs and furniture. After the German Empire adopted an eagle as the symbol of their rule, eight eagle sculptures were placed on top of the building which caused the building to be known as the "Place of Birds." Sadly, however, these glorious sculptures disappeared during World War I.