The architecturally aesthetic structures are also seen as a symbol of the compassion shown to living creatures in Ottoman civilization.
Birdhouses built on the walls of some mosques, madrasahs and mausoleums since the 16th century in the Ottoman Empire to serve as nests for birds are still home to many bird species today.
The structures, which were put forward as a work of aesthetic thought in both architectural and humanitarian terms, are also seen as a symbol of the compassion shown to living creatures in Ottoman civilization.
Bird palaces, which were built to shelter many bird species such as sparrows, pigeons and starlings, were built in parts of architectural works that were especially exposed to the sun and wind.
“Birdhouses show the architectural and aesthetic taste of the period in which they were built”
Historian and writer Mehmet Dilbaz told AA correspondent about the history of Ottoman bird palaces, the purpose of their construction, their importance from past to present and how these works have influenced other societies.
Stating that the bird palaces in the Ottoman Empire are actually a tradition linked to Islam and the works of the foundation culture, Dilbaz said, “The basis of the story is the need not to close the book of deeds. As stated in a famous hadith of the Prophet in Islam, some of the things that can save people after they die are knowledge, a good son and a beautiful work.”
Dilbaz said that during the periods when Turkish-Islamic art reached its peak, the awareness of perpetuating benefit increased in Ottoman society, and many foundations were established to sustain social life.
Pointing out that important works were carried out in the past regarding the feeding and sheltering of stray animals, Dilbaz gave the following information:
“God has some mute creatures. Some structures were thought of for the shelter of birds, especially in winter. It is not clearly known when the first birdhouse was built in Istanbul. Because everyone knows the unfortunate history of Istanbul, one earthquake, two fires… Therefore, unfortunately, no wooden birdhouses have survived to the present day. But it is possible to see birdhouses carved out of stone or marble. It is possible to come across birdhouses built in different parts of the city since the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. The aesthetic art of the Ottoman Empire actually carried many things to our day.”
“Ottoman bird palaces were an aesthetic pleasure, many details of which we have lost today”
Pointing out that birdhouses are usually made of brick or stone, but the first examples were made of wood, Dilbaz said, “Ottoman bird palaces were an aesthetic pleasure that we have lost many details of today. If the ancestors had built these palaces only with the understanding that the bird would enter, stay here in summer and winter, lay its eggs or protect itself from cold, snow and rain, they would have built only four walls. Since the ancestors had aesthetic taste, they built these birdhouses with elegance and detail in accordance with the architectural elements of the period in which they were built. Therefore, the birdhouses that have survived to the present day clearly show the architectural and aesthetic taste of the period in which they were built.”
Mehmet Dilbaz stated that the winter months were harsher in previous centuries and the snow cover remained unmelted for a long time, and said, “Birdhouses are not only built for aesthetic pleasure. Two hundred years ago, Istanbul had very intense and very cold winters. In climates where the snow cover did not lift for two months in cold and intense winters, birdhouses were the only environment where these birds could enter, take shelter and continue their lives.”
“There is no foundation understanding as detailed as ours in the world”
Emphasizing that the foundation culture is a tradition that originated from the Ottoman civilization, Dilbaz said:
“Ancient Rome did not have a foundation culture. Nowadays, modern states, after understanding the foundation logic of the Ottomans, established foundations within themselves and started some works for charity in this way. But they never have such a detailed understanding of foundations as we do. A foundation is established and provides education and scholarships abroad. But we make a foundation to feed stray animals, sparrows. We establish a foundation to treat the broken wings of storks. We are building a hospital for storks in Bursa. I have never seen an example like this, there is nothing like this in the world. If there was such a thing, they would have told the whole world about it through the media. No one is as detailed as us.”
Historian and writer Dilbaz underlined that the Ottoman civilization was not materialistic and emphasized that the foundations established serve humanity even after centuries.
Birdhouses, examples of which can be seen in many neighborhoods in Istanbul, especially in the historical peninsula, are known as “Bird pavilion,” “Bird palace,” “Sparrow palace” and “Dovecinlik”.
It is understood that the birdhouses, which are mostly constructed of stone and brick, are protected from the wind, sun and rain.
Examples of birdhouses in Istanbul can be seen in many historical buildings such as Üsküdar Valide Sultan Mosque, Üsküdar Ayazma Mosque, Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Bali Paşa Mosque, Şehzade Mosque, Sultan Mustafa III Tomb, Grand Selimiye Mosque, Seyyid Hasan Paşa Madrasah, Sultan Mahmud I School and Millet Manuscript Library.
