The Russian Embassy

Built between 1838 and 1845, the Russian Embassy was the first structure architect Gaspare Fossati (1809-1883) designed in İstanbul. After the success of his work at this building, Fossati was commissioned in 1847 by Abdülmecid (1839-1861) for the repair of Hagia Sophia. The building is comprised of a two-story middle section with two three-storey wings that are adjoined to it from the north and south. The nearly 100-meter-high monumental façades of the structure are in the Empire style. Along with the Dârülfünûn (1845) built between Hagia Sophia and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque by the same architect, the Russian Embassy building is one of the first important structures that transform the traditionally soft contours of the city’s skyline.