İstanbulluoğlu Mansion is a two-story mansion located on Atatürk Street in Malatya's Battalgazi district, built with adobe on a stone foundation in the early 1900s. Restored in 2007, the building with its projecting facades and umbrella roof is a rare example of traditional Malatya architecture.
İstanbulluoğlu Mansion stands on Atatürk (Kışla) Street in Battalgazi. It is one of the mansions remaining from the city's old settlement fabric. The construction date is not clear in the sources: some records show the early 1900s, some 1914, and some the 1930s. According to a rumor, İmamzade Hacı Ali Bey had the building constructed by Kirkor Usta. It is built with adobe on a stone foundation, and the projections are timber-framed. It is a typical example of Malatya's traditional house architecture.
The two-story building is entered through a double-winged, wooden eyebrow-arched door on the street side. There is a hall and four rooms on the ground floor, and again a hall and four rooms on the upper floor. The most striking feature of the mansion is the projections on the upper floor. These projections, which add movement to the facade, and the spaces between them give the building a unique silhouette. The roof is umbrella-shaped, also referred to as a hipped roof in some sources. The ownership of the mansion, which was restored by the decision of the Conservation Board dated 2007, belongs to the Malatya Governorship.
This is a stop that can be seen along with other historical mansions in the vicinity while touring Battalgazi. There are several other mansions lined up side by side in the region. Therefore, it is more logical to plan İstanbulluoğlu Mansion not alone, but as part of a short walking route in the old center of Battalgazi.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Malatya historical places, Levent Valley.
Guide's Note
When was İstanbulluoğlu Mansion built?
The exact construction date of the mansion varies according to sources. Some records indicate the early 1900s, while another source points to 1914, and yet another to the 1930s. According to one account, the structure was commissioned by İmamzade Hacı Ali Bey to Kirkor Usta. Despite the historical uncertainty, sources agree that the mansion reflects Malatya's traditional residential architecture. The building was registered and restored by the decision of the Conservation Board dated 25.05.2007.
How to get to the mansion?
İstanbulluoğlu Mansion is located on Atatürk (Kışla) Street in Malatya's Battalgazi district. It is possible to reach Battalgazi from the city center by public bus and minibus lines. If you are going by your own car, finding parking in the old center of Battalgazi is usually not a problem. Walking around is more comfortable due to the narrowness of the street.
What else is there in Battalgazi?
Around the mansion, there are several other mansions from a similar period lined up. One source mentions five mansions in the area. Battalgazi is also known for the ruins of Old Malatya (Melitene). Therefore, considering the mansion not alone, but as part of a route exploring the historical fabric of the district, is more time-efficient.
How much time should be allocated?
The mansion itself is not a large structure. Examining it from the outside and taking photos, looking at the facade details, takes 15-30 minutes. If you plan it with other historical points in Battalgazi, you can make it a half-day trip.
Best angle for photography
The projections on the upper floor and the spaces between them are the main details that add depth to the facade. A shot taken from across the street best shows these projections. The wooden eyebrow-arched entrance door is also a good spot for a close-up. The afternoon light makes the adobe-wood texture on the facade more prominent.
Things to consider before visiting
There is no clear information regarding whether the interior of the mansion is open to visitors, its current operating hours, and possible entrance fees. It is best to confirm the current situation through the Malatya Governorship or Battalgazi Municipality before visiting. The ownership of the building belongs to the Malatya Governorship.
Architectural features
The mansion is built with adobe on a stone foundation, and the projections are timber-framed. The roof is designed in an umbrella shape, also described as a hipped roof in some sources. The two-story building has a hall and four rooms on each floor. The double-winged, wooden eyebrow-arched mirrored door on the street facade is the main entrance point of the building. The combined use of stone, wood, and adobe makes the mansion a characteristic example of Malatya's house architecture of the period.
FAQ
Updated:
