Michaelallangrant
Selimiye Kislasi
Military barracks built by the Sultan Selim III for the Ottoman Army in 1800.
The initially wooden barracks constructed by the renowned Armenian architect Krikor Balyan was burnt down in 1806 by revolting Janissaries, who were against the reforms. Ordered by Sultan Mahmud II, rebuilding of the barracks in stone began in 1825 and it was completed on February 6, 1828. It is a gigantic rectangle building (200 x 267 metres) with a large parade ground in the center. The structure has three floors on three wings and two floors only on the eastern wing due to inclined terrain.[2] During the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I, the barracks were renovated twice, first in 1842–1843 and again in 1849–1850. During this process, a tower seven stories in height was added to each of the four corners, giving the barracks the look they have today.
During the Crimean War (1854-1856), the barracks was allocated to the British Army, which was on the way from Britain to the Crimea. After the troops of the 33rd and 41st left for the front, the barracks was converted into a temporary military hospital.
On November 4, 1854, Florence Nightingale arrived in Scutari with 38 volunteer nurses. They cared for thousands of wounded and infected soldiers, and drastically reduced the high mortality rate by improving the sanitary living conditions until she returned home in 1857 as a heroine.
Around 6,000 soldiers died in the Selimiye Barracks during the war, mostly as the result of cholera epidemic. The dead were buried at a plot next to the barracks, which became later the Haydarpaa Cemetery.
Today, the northmost tower of the barracks is a museum.
Selimiye Kislasi
Military barracks built by the Sultan Selim III for the Ottoman Army in 1800.
The initially wooden barracks constructed by the renowned Armenian architect Krikor Balyan was burnt down in 1806 by revolting Janissaries, who were against the reforms. Ordered by Sultan Mahmud II, rebuilding of the barracks in stone began in 1825 and it was completed on February 6, 1828. It is a gigantic rectangle building (200 x 267 metres) with a large parade ground in the center. The structure has three floors on three wings and two floors only on the eastern wing due to inclined terrain.[2] During the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I, the barracks were renovated twice, first in 1842–1843 and again in 1849–1850. During this process, a tower seven stories in height was added to each of the four corners, giving the barracks the look they have today.
During the Crimean War (1854-1856), the barracks was allocated to the British Army, which was on the way from Britain to the Crimea. After the troops of the 33rd and 41st left for the front, the barracks was converted into a temporary military hospital.
On November 4, 1854, Florence Nightingale arrived in Scutari with 38 volunteer nurses. They cared for thousands of wounded and infected soldiers, and drastically reduced the high mortality rate by improving the sanitary living conditions until she returned home in 1857 as a heroine.
Around 6,000 soldiers died in the Selimiye Barracks during the war, mostly as the result of cholera epidemic. The dead were buried at a plot next to the barracks, which became later the Haydarpaa Cemetery.
Today, the northmost tower of the barracks is a museum.