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Sultanhamam is a small neighborhood between Eminönü, Sirkeci, and Mahmutpaşa in Istanbul. It was once the center of the fabrics industry in the city.
Aşir Efendi Street in Sultanhamam
From Eminönü, walk along the street between the Spice Bazaar and New Mosque, then past the İşbank Museum. At the corner, turn right down Şeyhülislam Hayri Efendi Street and you’ll come to a five-way intersection. Continue a block south until you reach Aşir Efendi Street. Aşir Efendi Street is lined with a nice collection of Neoclassical buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many were built by Ottoman Greek and Ottoman Armenian architects.
Katırcıoğlu Han
First is Katırcıoğlu Han. It houses the Curtains Bazaar (Perdeciler Çarşısı) and architecturally isn’t very fascinating.
The façade of the building, however, features a mosaic by Yusuf Gürün detailing the kilim weaving process, from sheep shearing to the women working the looms. The mosaic is best seen from Fındıkçı Remzi Street, which runs downhill across from the building.
Ankara-Konya Han
Across the street from Katırcıoğlu Han is Ankara-Konya Han, on which I can’t find any information. Obviously it was named after the cities of Ankara and Konya.
Dilsiz Zade Han
The building on Aşir Efendi Street that most catches my eye is Dilsiz Zade Han, which was completed in 1905. The architect was Stepan Hamamcıyan, an Ottoman Armenian. The name of the building is written above the door in both Arabic and Latin script.
Ticaret Han
Next door is Ticaret Han. It features arched windows on the first floor separated by columns. It also has ornamental stonework in the shape of beautiful floral patterns.
Unknown Han
At the end of the block is another han that I can’t find information about. It also contains floral patterns above and between each window.
Fesçi Bacı El Katip Han
Across the street is the Fesçi Bacı El Katip Han. It was built in 1904 and has an inscription in both French and Ottoman Turkish above the entrance. The French name of the building is Fesdji Bachi Elkiatib Khan. Continuing east or north from here, you can explore Sirkeci.
Aşir Efendi Library
Backtracking to the western end of Aşir Efendi Street is the Aşir Efendi Library (Aşir Efendi Kütüphanesi). It was established in March 1800 by Mustafa Aşir Efendi in honor of his father, Mustafa Efendi. The library collection was transferred to the Süleymaniye Library at the Süleymaniye Mosque Complex in 1918 and the space was rented out as a shop. The building also contained the tombs of Aşir Efendi and his family but they were moved to another location. The library sits on the busy Sultanhamam Square, which intersects five streets.
Hamdi Bey Arcade
Finally, walking south from Sultanhamam Square is the Hamdi Bey Arcade (Hamdi Bey Geçidi). The façade was designed to resemble the Library of Celsus at Ephesus. I can’t find any other information about the building. You can find it on Kaputcular Street.
