The Kızlarağası Inn in İzmir: A Historical Ottoman Architecture Gem
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The Kızlarağası Inn is surrounded by the Hisar Mosque and is situated in Kemeraltı. The inn’s inscription states that Hac Beşir Ağa constructed it in 1156 using the hijri calendar (1743). The structure, which is situated directly behind İzmir Port Castle, is thought to have been finished in 1745.
The Inn’s Architecture and Layout
One of the few surviving examples of Ottoman architecture in İzmir, the inn has a rectangular layout, a courtyard, two floors, and is constructed of cut stone, rough chipped stone, and brick. The Bakır Bedesten was located on the inn’s northern façade, and shops were located on the southern façade. 16 windows are present in the hotel.
On the eastern façade of the hotel, which faces the Hisar Mosque, there are sixteen windows—seven at the top and nine at the bottom. These windows have square jambs and iron railings around them. A row of cut stone beams and two rows of brick beams were used to construct the facade, excluding the windows. Some of the joints also had geometric decorations. Equal-sized rooms surround the courtyard from the west, north, and south. The rooms are symmetrically arranged along the east-west axis. On each side of the courtyard, there are an additional eight rooms of the same size. The east wing has four additional rooms.
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Mansions for overnight guests were available on the upper floor in the rooms that opened to the gallery, and on the ground floor, in contrast to the peaceful life on the upper floor, there were rooms where merchants and servants could lodge with their wares and camels.
The Inn’s Historical Significance
People were haggling in the shops where the goods were unloaded and sold in this area of the inn. Due to its close proximity to the harbor, the inn has consistently been occupied. At one point, the Inn also served as a stock exchange, with this activity concentrated especially in the stores that faced the inner courtyard.
Kızlarağası Inn gradually lost importance in the 18th and 19th centuries as transportation technology underwent various changes and as the center of the economy occasionally moved. The inn is now used exclusively for the unloading and storage of cargo since overnight stays are no longer permitted there.
Present-Day Use of the Inn
The Kızlarağası Inn was renovated in 1993 and is now used as a tourist bazaar. Here, you can find a wide variety of handicraft items, carpets, leather clothing, and stunning souvenirs. You can also relax in the inn’s surrounding local deliciaces restaurants, tea and café shops to experience the local culture.