The importance of the birdhouses at the Ayazma Mosque in eighteenth-century Ottoman architecture

The Üsküdar Ayazma Mosque (1760–1761), commissioned by Sultan Mustafa III, is an important example of early Ottoman Baroque architecture. This research investigates the birdhouses incorporated into the facades, gates, and hünkâr pavilion, viewing them as micro-architectural elements that reflect the stylistic transformations of the eighteenth century. The methodological approach of this study encompassed direct observation and high-resolution photographic documentation of twenty extant birdhouses, conducted over a period from 2022 to 2024. These findings were cross-referenced with the official restoration plans from the Istanbul Foundations 2nd Regional Office and compared with contemporaneous Istanbul buildings to assess their spatial distribution. The results obtained demonstrate the exceptional status of the Ayazma Mosque, which features an unrivalled concentration and variety of birdhouses. The twenty documented examples are evenly distributed between ten multi-story kiosk-type structures and ten arched alcove-type units. This equilibrium is indicative of the architectural ambivalence that characterised the period's transition from classical to Baroque styles. The integration of traditional penci arches alongside elaborate palace-like pavilion forms further highlights the synthesis of Eastern and Western architectural influences. The study concludes that these birdhouses are not merely decorative but also represent the Islamic concept of merhamet (compassion) and the institutional framework of waqfs (charitable endowments). Furthermore, they symbolise sultanic visibility and global legibility in an era when the Ottoman Empire sought to redefine its global role.

Keywords: Baroque, Birdhouses, Eighteenth Century, İstanbul, Mustafa III, Ottoman Architecture, Üsküdar Ayazma Mosque.