A Historical Educational Building in Edirne: Bulgarian Catholic School and Its Architectural Features

Abstract

In the 19th century, when the transition from traditional education to the modern education system was experienced in the Ottoman Empire, various modern educational institutions were established. Not only Muslims but also non-Muslims and foreigners opened many schools throughout the country. The Bulgarians, one of the substantial communities living in Edirne, which is adjacent to the capital Istanbul, opened many schools in the province. One of them was the Bulgarian Catholic School. This school was opened in the second half of the 19th century by the Resurrectionists, a group affiliated with the Polish Catholic sect, to spread the Catholic sect among the Bulgarians. This school first became operational in an existing wooden structure. Then, a two-storey masonry building was built in 1839 in this area, and after 1907, with the addition of a new masonry building, the school turned into a magnificent structure. Although the educational function of the building was interrupted in the 1930s, it was opened in the 1960s again. The building is still used for education today. This study is aimed to determine the historical, cultural, and architectural values of a Late Ottoman Period Bulgarian educational building in Edirne, which constitutes a singular example for the region. The purpose of usage and architectural development of the building has been revealed in the Ottoman Archive documents. Its importance has been emphasized in the context of education and architectural history, and the necessity of its conservation has been indicated. This study is aimed to determine the historical, cultural, and architectural values of a Late Ottoman Period Bulgarian educational building in Edirne, which constitutes a singular example for the region. The purpose of usage and architectural development of the building has been revealed in the Ottoman Archive documents. Its importance has been emphasized in the context of education and architectural history, and the necessity of its conservation has been indicated.