ARCH202: Pastoral Horizons: Designing for a Resilient Farming Community

KÜÇÜK MENDERES
VALLEY History and Culture

Nisa Nur AVCI I Raşithan KARABIYIK I Barkın ÇAKIR I Jawairia JOHAR I Uras Alkım YÜLEK
 Table of Contents

Ancient Era Ottoman Era

Middle Age Present

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 Ancient Era
Middle Age
Ottoman Era
Present

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 Siklianon, Almura, Boneiton, Khondria, Larisa, Dideiphyta, Savenda.

Ancient Era

Küçük Menderes In Ancient Times: Kaystros

Middle Age

The Küçük Menderes Basin, historically known as

Kaystros, is a significant region in Western Sardis Dioshieron
Anatolia, now within İzmir province. Hypaipa Koloe
Metropolis
Ottoman Era

The basin is surrounded by Bozdağ Palaiapolis

Mountains in the north, Aydın Mountains in Almura
the south, and Alaman Mountains in the west. Ephesus
It includes districts like Torbalı, Selçuk, Tire,
Bayındır, Ödemiş, and Kiraz.
Present

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 Ancient Era

Küçük Menderes In Ancient Times: Kaystros

Middle Age

The main products of the region were grains,

cotton, olives, tobacco, grapes, figs,
vegetables, and sesame.
Ottoman Era
Present

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 Ancient Era

Settlements
Middle Age

The history of settlement in the region goes back to

the Late Chalcolithic Age (around 4000 BC). The Dioshieron
earliest settlements were found in the Torbalı and Hypaipa Koloe
Metropolis
Ottoman Era

Ödemiş plains, mostly in the form of small mounds

Palaiapolis
(höyüks) near rivers or side streams.

Ephesus
Present

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 Ancient Era

Settlements - Ephesus
Ephesus, the Küçük Menderes Basin's largest city, thrived on agriculture and trade.
Middle Age

111
Ottoman Era

11

1 Küçük Menderes Basin was strategically

1 Temple of Artemis important because the Sardis-Ephesos
11 Celcus Library trade route passed through it. In the
111 Great Theater Hellenistic period, it was a passage between
the Gediz and Büyük Menderes valleys, so
Present

It remained significant during the Roman and Byzantine periods, but as its harbor many watchtowers were built.
silted up, it lost its commercial power and was eventually abandoned.

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 Ancient Era

Important Structures in Ephesus: Temple Of Artemis

Middle Age
Ottoman Era

Considered one of the Seven Wonders

of the Ancient World.
One of the largest temples of antiquity.
The religious and cultural center of
Two capitals from the Archaic temple
Ephesus. in the British Museum
Present

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 Ancient Era

Important Structures in Ephesus: Celcus Library

Middle Age
Ottoman Era
Present

One of the finest examples of Roman architecture.

One of the largest libraries of its time, containing over 12,000 scrolls.
Its two-story grand facade is an iconic symbol of Ephesus.

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 Ancient Era

Important Structures in Ephesus: The Great Theatre

Middle Age
Ottoman Era

One of the largest ancient theaters, with a capacity of 25,000

people.
Present

Used for religious ceremonies, theatrical performances, and

gladiator fights.
Notable for its acoustics and impressive engineering.

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 Ancient Era

Settlements - Metropolis
Middle Age
Ottoman Era

Metropolis
Probably built by the Seleucids.
Present

Its best period was in the Late Hellenistic Era.

Important structures include the Temple of Ares, the acropolis, the theater, and houses with
mosaics.

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 Ancient Era

Settlements
Middle Age
Ottoman Era

Dioshieron (Birgi)
Gained city status in the 1st century Hypaipa (Ödemiş)
AD. An old Lydian settlement that Koloe (Kiraz)
Later, in the Byzantine period, it was became a city in the 1st century BC. Mentioned as a city in the 3rd and 4th
called Pyrgion. The city had a theater and Byzantine century AD inscriptions.
Became an important center during walls.
the Aydınoğulları Beylik period. Other Settlements
Neikaia There were many villages such as
Present

Palaiapolis (Beydağ) Became a city in the 2nd century AD Siklianon, Almura, Boneiton,
Known as a city in historical sources, under Roman Emperor Caracalla. Khondria, Larisa, Dideiphyta,
but it never minted coins. It was founded by the Kilbos people. Savenda.

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 Ancient Era

Middle Age
Ottoman Era
Present

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 Ancient Era

Middle Ages (5th-15th Century)

Throughout the Middle Ages (approximately from the 5th
century to the 15th century), the Küçük Menderes Valley
Middle Age

was influenced by various empires and cultures. We can

divide the medieval history of the region into the following
sections:
Ottoman Era

Byzantine Period Aydınoğulları Period

4th-13th Century 14th Century
11th-14th Century
Seljuk Period
Present

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 Byzantine Period Structures
Hypaepa Castle
Ancient Era

5-6m
Middle Age

Height reference comes from the average height of Katran Ardıcı or Wild Chestnut Tree

Construction Purpose: Defense against Arab

Ottoman Era

raids. Bozdağ

Significance: An important part of Byzantium's Yılanlı

defense line in Western Anatolia.
Architect: Byzantine military engineers.
Reason for Destruction: It was ruined over time
due to natural disasters, wars, and neglect.
Ödemiş
Present

Seljuk Period Aydınoğulları Period

Byzantine Period
Ancient Era Middle Age Division of the Roman Empire The Decline of the Ephesus Harbor The Rise of Inland Centers like Tire and Birgi The Spread of Christianity Defense Against Arab Raids 11th-14th Century 14th Century Ottoman Era Present
4th-13th Century

Harbor Canals
Harbor

Harbor Entrance

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 Byzantine Period Structures
Tire Byzantine Castle
Ancient Era

5-6m
Middle Age

Height reference comes from the average height of Katran Ardıcı or Wild Chestnut Tree
Ottoman Era

Construction Purpose: To control the Küçük

Bozdağ
Menderes Valley and protect Byzantine rule.
Significance: Played a crucial role in defending Yılanlı

against Seljuk incursions. Tire

Architect: No specific architect is known; it is a

typical military structure of the Byzantine period.
Reason for Destruction: It was gradually
Büyükkale
damaged due to natural disasters, wars, and
neglect.
Present

Seljuk Period Aydınoğulları Period

Byzantine Period
Ancient Era Middle Age Division of the Roman Empire The Decline of the Ephesus Harbor The Rise of Inland Centers like Tire and Birgi The Spread of Christianity Defense Against Arab Raids 11th-14th Century 14th Century Ottoman Era Present
4th-13th Century

Harbor Canals
Harbor

Harbor Entrance

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 Ancient Era Byzantine Period Structures
Examples
Middle Age
Ottoman Era

Eskihisar Castle (Kocaeli, Gebze- Eskihisar) Aydos Castle (İstanbul Sultanbeyli)

Present

Seljuk Period Aydınoğulları Period

Byzantine Period
Ancient Era Middle Age Division of the Roman Empire The Decline of the Ephesus Harbor The Rise of Inland Centers like Tire and Birgi The Spread of Christianity Defense Against Arab Raids 11th-14th Century 14th Century Ottoman Era Present
4th-13th Century

Harbor Canals
Harbor

Harbor Entrance

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 Ancient Era Byzantine Period Structures
Ephesus Ayasuluk Hill Church

5-6m
Middle Age

Construction Purpose: The spread of

Christianity and serving as a religious worship
Ottoman Era

center.
Significance: Maintained its religious importance
throughout the Middle Ages in Ephesus, a sacred Ayasuluk Hill
center for Christianity.
Architect: built by anonymous craftsmen.
Selçuk
Reason for Destruction: Partially destroyed due
to earthquakes, wars, and natural disasters; its
ruins can still be visited today.
Present

Seljuk Period Aydınoğulları Period

Byzantine Period
Ancient Era Middle Age Division of the Roman Empire The Decline of the Ephesus Harbor The Rise of Inland Centers like Tire and Birgi The Spread of Christianity Defense Against Arab Raids 11th-14th Century 14th Century Ottoman Era Present
4th-13th Century

Harbor Canals
Harbor

Harbor Entrance

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 Ancient Era Byzantine Period Structures
House of the Virgin Mary (Selçuk)

5-6m
Middle Age

Construction Purpose: According to Christian tradition,

it is believed to be the place where the Virgin Mary spent
Ottoman Era

Selçuk

her last years.

Significance: Served as an important place of worship
and pilgrimage during the Byzantine period.
Architect: No specific architect is known; there is limited
information about the original structure.
Construction Period: The exact date is unknown; the
historical significance of the site is mostly based on
legends.
Meryem Ana Evi
Reason for Destruction: The structure is still standing
today and continues to function as a pilgrimage site.
Present

Seljuk Period Aydınoğulları Period

Byzantine Period
Ancient Era Middle Age Division of the Roman Empire The Decline of the Ephesus Harbor The Rise of Inland Centers like Tire and Birgi The Spread of Christianity Defense Against Arab Raids 11th-14th Century 14th Century Ottoman Era Present
4th-13th Century

Harbor Canals
Harbor

Harbor Entrance

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 Ancient Era
Middle Age

Ottoman Era
Present

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 Ancient Era

The Aydınoğulları Beylik was

Middle Age

incorporated into the Ottoman Empire

by Bayezid I in 1390. After regaining
independence post-1402, it was re-
conquered by Sultan Murad II in 1425-
1426, completing its integration into the
Ottoman Era

Ottoman Empire.

Sultan Murad II
Present

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 Ancient Era

Important Locations in Ottaman

Bayındır: A significant
Middle Age

area for agriculture and

Birgi: The former capital of
livestock farming during
the Aydınoğulları Beylik,
the Ottoman period.
which remained an
important administrative
Tire: A major trade and Birgi
Bayındır
and religious center under
cultural center with notable Ödemiş
Ottoman rule.
Ottoman Era

madrasahs, mosques, and Beydağ

Tire
caravanserais.
Ödemiş: Known for its
agriculture and trade,
Beydağ: Though a smaller
featuring Ottoman-era inns,
settlement, it held strategic
mosques, and markets.
importance within the
region.
Present

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 Ancient Era

Commerical
Middle Age

During the Ottoman period, the Küçük Menderes Valley was a

key trade and production center. Cities like Tire, Ödemiş, and
Birgi were important for agriculture, textiles, and
craftsmanship. While the Silk Road didn’t pass directly
through the valley, it influenced the economy through Ottoman
trade routes. Tire Market was a major hub for local goods and
Ottoman Era

imports like silk and spices. The valley’s connection to İzmir,

an Ottoman port city, facilitated exports to Europe and the
Mediterranean.
Part of Silk Road, National Geographic
Present

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 Ancient Era
Middle Age
Ottoman Era

Present
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 Ancient Era

Architectural Changes in the

Küçük Menderes Valley Between 1900-2000
Middle Age

The Küçük Menderes Valley includes Ödemiş,

Tire, Bayındır, and Torbalı, focusing on
agriculture, trade, and industry. In the 20th BAYINDIR
Ottoman Era

ÖDEMİŞ
century, urbanization, transportation expansion, TORBALI

and industrialization impacted architecture,

replacing Ottoman dwellings with modern TİRE
structures while preserving historical elements.
Present

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 Traditional Residential Architecture and Transformation
Ancient Era

BAYINDIR
ÖDEMİŞ
TORBALI

TİRE

LOCATION:
Traditional Ottoman-Turkish
House Typology (1900-1950)
Middle Age

Two-storey building, stone and wood

combination
Lower floor stone, upper floor wood
carcass and plaster (Bagdadi Technique)
Hipped roof with wide eaves, tile cladding
Ottoman Era

Facades with bay windows, windows with

wooden shutters
Plan layout with interior sofas
Stove, ottoman, wooden cabinet niches in
each room
Stone-paved courtyards
Present

Birgi Traditional House

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1900-1950)
Ancient Era

Building Materials and Structural System

Lower floor: Stone wall (50-80 cm thick)

increases durability and provides resistance
to dampness.
Middle Age

Upper floor: Timber frame system is safer

during earthquakes due to its light weight.

Plaster: Provides flexibility, prevents

Ottoman Era

cracking of the walls and creates a longer

lasting structure.

Bagdadi Technique: Bagdadi technique is

a traditional wall construction method that is
formed by nailing horizontal slats on a
Present

wooden frame and plastered with mortar.

Birgi Traditional House

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1900-1950)
Ancient Era

Roof System and Eaves

The wooden truss system and

Middle Age

tile cladding give the roof lightness

and long-lasting protection.

Wide eaves provide protection

from the sun in summer and rain in
Ottoman Era

winter and protect building facades

from external factors.

The slope of the roof varies

Birgi Traditional Houses
according to the rainfall (steep
slope in Birgi, low slope in Ödemiş).
Present

Çakırağa Mansion, Birgi

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1900-1950)
Ancient Era

Windows and Shutters

Downstairs windows are

kept small, for security and
Middle Age

to prevent heat loss. Examples of shutters used in Traditional Turkish houses

Upper floor windows are

large and spacious, allowing
maximum use of daylight.
Ottoman Era

Wooden shutters and

lattices are used to provide
privacy and block the sun in
summer.

Tinted glass of skylights so

Present

that each room has its own

unique light
Window opening directions in the Traditional Turkish houses
Birgi Traditional House

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1900-1950)
Ancient Era

Doors and Entrances

Exterior doors were

large and ornamented
Middle Age

and were used as a

sign of wealth and Examples of Traditional Turkish house entrance doors
prestige.

Interior doors are

Ottoman Era

simpler in design, but

some are decorated
with stucco carvings.

Above the entrance

door is a small glass
opening, to let daylight
Present

into the interior.

Entrance Door-Birgi Traditional House
Room Door-Çakırağa Mansion, Birgi

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1900-1950)
Ancient Era

Interior Space Layout and Plan Organization

Demonstration of plan schemes

of Traditional Turkish houses
The Sofa is the central common
Middle Age

area of the house and the rooms

are arranged around it.

The rooms are independent living

spaces, each with sleeping,
sitting and storage functions.
Ottoman Era

Couches are fixed seating areas

built into the wall.

a) without sofas b) with outer sofas

The ceilings are decorated with
c) with inner sofas d) with central sofas
wooden ornaments, reflecting the
Present

traditional Ottoman aesthetic.

Ornaments on the walls of a Traditional Turkish houses

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1900-1950)
Ancient Era

Bay Windows(Cumba) and Balconies

The bay windows are supported

Middle Age

by wooden cantilevers, extending

the street view and increasing the
living space. Bay Window Technical Drawing Example

The design protruding towards the

street takes advantage of light and
Ottoman Era

creates a visual aesthetic.

Balconies are often oriented

towards the courtyard, bringing
social life into the courtyard.
Present

Çakırağa Mansion, Birgi Birgi Traditional House

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1950-1980)
Ancient Era

Modernization and Residential

Transformation (1950-1980)

After 1950, with the increase in urbanization,

the traditional understanding of housing began
Middle Age

to change.

Reinforced concrete and brick buildings

started to be used instead of wooden and stone
buildings.
Ottoman Era

Houses were built as single-storey detached

houses and multi-storey apartment blocks.,

The interior layout changed and new space

solutions such as open kitchens were
developed.
Present

This process accelerated with the impact of

modern building materials and industrialization. 1950-Karşıyaka, İzmir

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1950-1980)
Ancient Era

Building Materials and Structural System

Walls began to be built in brick and

reinforced concrete instead of
Middle Age

masonry.

The reinforced concrete beam and

column system made multi-storey
Masonry Brick and Reinforced Concrete
buildings possible.
Ottoman Era

The use of plaster and cement

became widespread, and plastered
surfaces became prominent on interior
and exterior facades.

Steel and reinforced concrete frame

Present

systems were preferred instead of

wooden structural systems.

Reinforced Concrete Beam and Column Steel Frame System

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1950-1980)
Ancient Era

Roof System and Eaves

Middle Age

Reinforced concrete terrace roofs

became widespread instead of
traditional hipped roofs.

Lower slope roof types were

Ottoman Era

used in rainy regions.

New roofing materials such as

eternit and zinc coating were
preferred instead of tiles.
Present

Tile Roof Eternit Roof

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1950-1980)
Ancient Era

Windows and Shutters

Middle Age

Wooden shutters are replaced by

metal or aluminum shutters.

Windows were enlarged, thus

creating interiors with more light.
Ottoman Era

Since double glazing was not yet

widespread, thermal insulation
remained weak.
Birgi Traditional House İzmir Central Bank
Present

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1950-1980)
Ancient Era

Doors and Entrances

Middle Age

Instead of the traditional wooden inlaid

doors, doors with plain and smooth
surfaces were used.

Main entrance doors were usually

Ottoman Era

made of iron or steel clad.

A more modern and simple aesthetic

understanding developed.
Present

Entrance Door-Birgi Traditional House

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1950-1980)
Ancient Era

Interior Space Layout and Plan Organization

Middle Age

The concept of the sofa as a common area

was abandoned in favor of corridor and
open-plan space layouts.

Kitchen and living areas became more

Ottoman Era

open spaces.

Instead of high ceilings, more standard

heights were adopted in the rooms.
Present

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 Traditional Ottoman-Turkish House Typology (1950-1980)
Ancient Era

Bay Windows(Cumba) and Balconies

Middle Age

Instead of bay windows overhanging

the street, balconies were built
adjacent to the building facades.

Balconies were constructed with

Ottoman Era

protrusions on reinforced concrete

slabs.

Concrete or iron railings were used for

balcony balustrades.
Present

Çakırağa Mansion, Birgi

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