Ottoman 1892 Land Deed House and Shop in İzmir Title Armenian Citizen Armenia

Ottoman Tapu for a Property in İzmir – Armenian Ownership & Multi-Ethnic Context (1892)

Description:
An original Ottoman tapu (property deed) from İzmir, dated 30 March 1308 (11 April 1892), documenting the sale of a fractional property share in one of the city’s historically diverse neighborhoods. The deed records a ¼ share of one house and one shop, located in the district noted as “Yıldız Madam Hanı” with the well-known quarter listed as Aya Fotini (a historically Greek neighborhood). The property is numbered 24.

This deed highlights the multicultural social fabric of late-Ottoman İzmir. Within the boundary section, names of Muslim and Rum (Greek) neighbors appear, while the property itself belonged to members of the Armenian community a striking reflection of how different communities lived and owned property side by side.

The house and shop were originally vakıf (foundation) property, belonging to Hasan Ağa Vakfı, with an annual due of 130 kuruş. Ownership was held by Simon, son of Dasir? (Armenian), and Takuhi binti İsrail, the wife of Hasırcı Kirkor veledi Avedes, also Armenian. They sold their share of the property for 32,000 kuruş to Haralambo, son of Lukas.

The document contains Ottoman seals and signatures, offering valuable insight into Armenian presence in İzmir, vakıf property structures, and intercommunal economic relations prior to the upheavals of the 20th century.

Key Features:

• Type: Ottoman tapu (property deed)
• Location: İzmir
  • Mahalle: Yıldız Madam Hanı
  • Quarter: Aya Fotini
  • Door No.: 24
• Property: ¼ share of 1 house + 1 shop
• Vakif Ownership: Hasan Ağa Vakfı
  • Annual payment: 130 kuruş
• Sellers:
  • Simon, son of Dasir? (Armenian)
  • Takuhi binti İsrail, wife of Hasırcı Kirkor veledi Avedes (Armenian)
• Buyer: Lukas oğlu Haralambo
• Sale Price: 32,000 kuruş
• Date: 30 March 1308 (11 April 1892)
• Features: Ottoman seals and signatures
• Historical Significance:
  • Documents Armenian property ownership in İzmir
  • Reflects a highly mixed Muslim–Armenian–Greek neighborhood
  • Shows vakıf-related property obligations
  • Valuable evidence of intercommunal economic interaction before 20th-century demographic changes