In Search of a Lost Ottoman Space: Gedik Ahmed Pashazade Mehmed Bey Kulliye in Serres - Greece

This research project aims to shed light on the Gedik Ahmed Pashazade Mehmed Bey Kulliye in Serres, a surviving Ottoman architectural complex in the Balkans. The focus of the research revolves around understanding the original design of the complex and its interplay with the city of Serres, presenting a unique and pioneering approach to Ottoman architectural historiography. This study grapples with the challenges of lost Ottoman heritage, specifically in the Balkans, where many Ottoman structures were destroyed over time. The Gedik Ahmed Pashazade Mehmed Bey Complex, including the mosque and its surrounding structures, stands as a testament to the intricate architecture of the era. The central objective of the research is to unravel the complex's initial arrangement and its relationship with the urban landscape of Serres. By employing a combination of archival research, fieldwork, and comparative analysis, the study delves into key questions. Firstly, it seeks to uncover the original layout of the complex, identifying its individual components and their design principles, which were characteristic of Ottoman architecture. Secondly, the research investigates the complex's connection with the city, exploring how it was integrated into the urban fabric of Serres. Lastly, the study endeavors to highlight how the Gedik Ahmed Pashazade Mehmed Bey Complex influenced the development and transformation of Serres itself. The research comprises seven chapters that strategically unfold this investigation. The introductory chapter addresses the broader context of Ottoman architectural historiography, focusing on the challenges posed by the loss of historical sources and structures. It also introduces the methodology used in the study, which combines archival research, fieldwork, and historical narratives to enrich the analysis. The subsequent chapter delves deeper into the historical and sociological context of the Gedik Ahmed Pashazade Mehmed Bey Complex. It examines the Ottomanization process of conquered cities and the instruments for this transformation. This exploration sets the stage for understanding how the complex was situated within the urban landscape. The third chapter, focusing on a survey of the Gedik Ahmed Pashazade Kulliye in Serres, scrutinizes the Kulliye's historical evolution, its current status, and the evidence supporting its reconstruction, providing a comprehensive view of the Kulliye's past and present. Chapter four engages in an architectural investigation of the complex itself, drawing upon a variety of sources to identify and reconstruct both extant and lost structures. The aim is to recreate the original layout of the Kulliye and elucidate its design parameters. Chapter Five specifically examines the water-related structures of the Kulliye and the broader network of water structures in the city. This chapter establishes an uncommon connection between the Kulliye and the urban environment, highlighting the integral role of water in both. Adopting a broader urban perspective, Chapter Six explores the mahalles (neighbourhoods) within Ottoman Serres. It details the complex's relationship with the city's development and presents new sources to the literature, offering fresh insights into the urban fabric of the time. The final chapter reflects on the pioneering nature of the research, discussing its unique methodology and the insights it offers into Serres' Ottoman past. It also introduces a digital reconstruction approach to understanding lost Ottoman structures, potentially revolutionizing Ottoman architectural historiography. In summary, this research project seeks to fill the gaps in our knowledge about the Gedik Ahmed Pashazade Mehmed Bey Complex and its significance within the context of Ottoman architecture and urban development. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it strives to provide a comprehensive understanding of this remarkable complex and its impact on the historical city of Serres.