Historic Buildings
Bornova's historical buildings
Discover Bornova's past through its architectural heritage spanning from mansions to public buildings, mosques and churches.
MansionsCivil ArchitecturePasquali (Barry) Mansion
Bornova Merkez
Located at the entrance of Fevzi Cakmak Avenue, the Pasquali (Barry) Mansion was built between 1835 and 1840 by merchant Giuseppe Pasquali, who migrated from the island of Chios to Izmir. After Giovanni Pasquali's death in 1925, the mansion passed to his family and was expropriated in 1941 and transferred to the Bornova Agricultural School. Today it operates as a private cafe-restaurant.
MansionsCivil ArchitectureBallian Mansion / Ege University Paper and Book Arts Museum
Bornova Merkez
Built in the second half of the 19th century for the Levantine Ballian Family, the mansion is notable for its ornate ceiling medallions and elegant interior details. Purchased by Esther Marian Giraud (Wilkinson) in 1900, the building was transferred to Ege University in 1970. Today it serves as the Paper and Book Arts Museum.
MuseumsCivil ArchitectureArkas Maritime History Center
Bornova Merkez
The mansion on 80th Street was built between 1854 and 1856. Ownership of the house successively passed to the Douglas Paterson, Edwin Charnaud, De Zandonati, James Gout, and Victor Whittall families. Restored by its last owner Lucien Arkas, the house currently operates as the Arkas Maritime History Center, housing a very rich collection of maritime history artifacts.
MansionsCivil ArchitectureAliberti (Wolf) Mansion
Bornova Merkez
The Aliberti (Wolf) Mansion is an important Levantine residence built in the mid-19th century. Although there are differing accounts regarding its first occupants between the Wolf Brothers and the Paterson Family, the mansion also hosted the La Fontaine Family in the early 20th century. It has been used by the Aliberti Family since the 1950s.
MansionsCivil ArchitectureAliotti (Michel Topuz) House
Bornova Merkez
Located at the entrance of Fevzi Cakmak Avenue, the Aliotti (Michel Topuz) House was built in the 19th century by the Aliotti Family, one of Bornova's prominent Levantine families. The building later passed to the Topuz Family and has largely preserved its original Levantine architecture. Today it operates as a dental clinic.
MansionsCivil ArchitectureAlain Giraud House
Bornova Merkez
Thought to have been built in the late 19th century, the Alain Giraud House is located on Bornova's 83rd Street. Its first known occupant was Alain Giraud of the Giraud Family. As of 2024 used as an educational institution, the house is said to have hosted Keriman Halis Ece, the first Miss Universe, according to local legend.
Historic FountainsCivil ArchitectureIsikkent Historic Fountain
Işıkkent
Located on Salih Omurtak Avenue in the Isikkent neighborhood, this small Ottoman-era fountain was built in the same period as the Carsi Mosque. Only a column fragment and part of its mirror stone have survived to the present day. Despite its modest form, it reflects the historical importance of water culture in neighborhood life.
Historic FountainsCivil ArchitectureFatima Hanim Fountain (Kurtlu Fountain)
Ergene
Located in the Ergene neighborhood at the II. Yaka locality, the Fatima Hanim Fountain was built in 1868 in the name of Fatima Hanim, daughter of Evliyazade Haci Mustafa Aga of Izmir. The square-plan structure is also known as "Kurtlu Fountain" today. It is one of the rare charitable fountains commissioned through women's donations during the Ottoman period.
Historic FountainsCivil ArchitectureAltindag Unnamed Fountain
Altındağ
Located at the corner of Fevzipasa Avenue and Kivanc Avenue in the Altindag neighborhood, this Ottoman-era fountain is notable for its single-facade form with a round arch and triangular pediment. Although its inscription has been damaged, its decorative details date to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is one of the well-preserved examples of public water architecture in Bornova.
Historic FountainsCivil ArchitectureAltindag Nine Fountains (Bitter Fountain)
Altındağ
Located in the courtyard of the Cesmeli Mosque in the Altindag neighborhood, the Nine Fountains consist of two separate fountains leaning against each other. With its nine-niche facade arrangement, it is also popularly known as the "Bitter Fountain." Built in different periods during the 18th and 19th centuries, these fountains are unique examples of Altindag's Ottoman water architecture heritage.
BathsCivil ArchitectureDramalilar Mansion and Family Bathhouse
Erzene Mahallesi
Located in the Erzene neighborhood, the Dramalilar Mansion dates to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The mansion is notable for its outbuildings and private family bathhouse. Allocated to the Dramali Family, who came to Bornova during the 1924 population exchange, the building is an important cultural heritage that brings together the Levantine mansion tradition with post-exchange life.
BathsCivil ArchitectureEdwards (Murat) Mansion Bathhouse
Bornova Merkez
The small single-cell bathhouse in the garden of the Edwards (Murat) Mansion, which currently serves as the Izmir Directorate of Surveying and Monuments, was a socio-cultural component of mansion life. Currently in a state of near-collapse and in urgent need of restoration, it is an example of Levantine heritage in Bornova that requires preservation.