I am now on a walk that will take us first to a lone column of an ancient temple, then to a fine mosque, and on to what is probably the most famous sight in town, the Double Axed Gate. On the way we see some more fine houses, some in need of restoration. I feel the town is conscious of its past, so restoration will come after some time).

Bay windows on the first floor (and eventually on higher floors too) are common in 19th century civil architecture in Anatolia. In all medium size and larger homes, the ground floor was organised as a ‘service area’ (depots, kitchen, residence of the staff, etc.). The ‘harem’ (= private living area for the owner’s family), as well as the ‘Selamlık’ (reception room where male visitors were received) were located at the upper floors, beginning with the first floor.
The main room of the ‘harem’, where the women of the household spend most of their free time, was generally located at the street side of the house, and often had such bay windows. These windows were (almost always) equipped with wooden grills: the women could easily keep an eye on what was going on in the street, without being seen by (male) passers-by. So, the ‘harem’ – a closed and sacred area, when observed from the outside – appears to have had eyes that observed the outer world (and did so without his knowledge).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Anadolu Mirasında Türk Evleri’ (T.C. Kültür Bakanlığı) 1995.