SAFRANBOLU KIRANKÖY’DE TAŞIN BELLEĞİ VE GAYRİMÜSLİM TAŞ USTALARI
THE STONE'S MEMORY AND NON-MUSLIM MASTER BUILDERS IN KIRANKÖY, SAFRANBOLU

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the architectural texture of the Kıranköy settlement in Safranbolu from a multifaceted art historical perspective, focusing specifically on the structural and decorative contributions of the non-Muslim Greek (Rum) stone masters prior to the Population Exchange. The research highlights the traditional craft distinction that emerged during the reconstruction process following the great fire in the mid-19th century. The veracity of this situation is corroborated by temettuat registers and archival documents, thereby validating the competence of individuals such as Kırımlıoğlu Yerakın, Haşinoğlu Dimitri, Kuşenoğlu Yorki, Fanopoulos, Güldemiroğlu, and Istefan, son of Yani. In addition, the master abbreviations situated on the façade of the Yılanlı House, including such examples as ΓΙΑΝ, are of particular interest. Yannis is responsible for providing a unique identifier and personal signature left by these craftsmen on the structure. The article analyses the rich ornamental repertoire through the synthesis of local materials and Baroque styles. Examples of unique features include fragments depicting crosses on civil structures (Sarnıçlı House), vase-motif mirror stones in indoor hamams, Baroque cartouches, ogee arch niches, and voluted corbels. The most notable findings are the animal depictions, such as the snake figure on the facade and the horse figure in the fireplace of the Yılanlı House, as well as the birdhouses observed on civil and religious buildings. Furthermore, the multilingual and double-dated inscriptions in Ottoman Turkish, Latin, and Greek (including Karamanlidika) serve to demonstrate the continuation of the non-Muslims' cultural identity through architecture despite the loss of their linguistic identity. This study illuminates the high quality of craftsmanship that carries the traces of Kıranköy's multicultural life, providing concrete contributions to efforts to document and preserve this valuable heritage at risk of destruction.

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