Baltazzi Mansion is one of the oldest mansions in Buca. The first owners of the mansion, which is thought to have been built in the 1868s, are the Baltazzi Family, who are active in the field of archeology. In 1890, a rich merchant from Izmir of Armenian origin named Ioyanis Ispartalıyan became the owner of this mansion. Then, during the occupation years of 1920s, it was used as an orphanage for Greek children under the management of the Greek National Bank.
The orphaned children who lived in the mansion until 1922 were transferred to Greece by the American Red Cross, and the structure was given to the ownership of Mustafa Kemal Paşa in 1922.
The building, which was converted into a school by the order of Mustafa Kemal Paşa, was transformed into Buca Secondary School, known as İzmir’s first secondary school, and Buca High School in 1966. Today, it is used as Mehmet Akif Inan Anatolian High School.
Unlike other mansions in Buca, the garden structure in the Palladian style has a certain architectural style in geometric and axial style. Latin European influence predominates in this architectural style. In the garden there is a Baroque pool with a statue of Venus in Kızılçam and Serviler (originally at the Faculty of Fine Arts of DEU), which was personally erected by Baltazzi.
Baltazzi Mansion has a special importance in terms of Ottoman history, as it hosted the Ottoman Sultan Abdullaziz, who returned from his Egypt/Cairo trip, for four nights. The door of the mansion facing Hasan Ağa garden was closed by knitting as a sign of respect after the visit of the Sultan, as is the custom, and was never opened to anyone again.
The arrival of Sultan Abdulaziz is considered an important turning point for the beginning and continuation of horse races held in the city of Izmir.
Where is Baltazzi Mansion? 📍
Baltazzi Mansion Visiting Hours🕖
Baltazzi Mansion is currently used as Mehmet Akif Inan Anadolu High School. It is possible to visit the school building outside of school hours. School officials show visitors around the school. During school hours, you can see the inside of the building, while at other times you can photograph the garden, pool and the outside of the building.
How to get to Baltazzi Mansion?🚖
🚌 Bus: It can be reached to Baltazzi Mansion after a 5-minute walk by getting off at Buca Üçkuyular Square bus stop numbered 40739 with ESHOT buses numbered 104, 304, 470 476, 490, 515, 676, 805, 818, 866, 878 and 940.
