HERITAGE OF MEDIEVAL ANATOLIAN TURKISH ARCHITECTURE: FROM PAST TO FUTURE

Abstract

Medieval Anatolian Turkish architecture is the result of the passion to create architectural space for functional and artistic purposes in Anatolian lands in the historical phase that emerged after the 1071 Battle of Malazgirt. In fact, it would be a much more correct approach to evaluate this passion not as a result but as a process. After the commanders declared their independence in the regions given to them because of serving in the Great Saljuq army, the Artukids, Saltukids, Danishmends and Mengujeks were established as the Early Turkish Principalities. These principalities synthesize several architectural elements in Central Asia, the elements being confronted on the way from Central Asia to Anatolia and currently existing elements in Anatolia together with the structural features of the neighboring states. They built many architectural structures such as mosque, madrasah, bridge, caravansary, shrine, and cupola. In this study, the typical characteristics of the Medieval Anatolian Turkish architecture, the sources that feed it and its specific aspects will be examined by making references to the structures built by the above-mentioned principalities. Since most of the legacy left by these principalities is still standing, it gives us important clues in terms of understanding the architectural aesthetics that prevailed at that time. When all these considered together, it is possible to mention about the existence of a Renaissance in the architectural field in Anatolia in the course of Middle Ages.