Being strong and durable, functional, economical and aesthetic are the basic characteristics of the traditional Turkish house especially from the late Ottoman period and early Republic period. The houses are built along the roads and on the edges of the squares in an order which reflects a strong respect for the neighbors. In most cases the houses on both sides of the roads, which follow the configurations of the land, are separated with high walls and have overhanging sections on these walls, reaching towards the street.

Entrance to the house is generally through an inner door which opens onto the garden. When household chores permitted, the lady of the house, whose privacy is ensured with the high walls, would go upstairs and look around and chat with neighbors from the overhanging windows of the hall which face either the street or the garden. The large windows of the upper floors protected with bars or grills allowed this outlet.