First national architectural movement

The movement began in the early 20th-century in the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Constantinople, with the goal of bringing back "Turkish" elements in the construction and design of new buildings.

The first building considered to be built in the Turkish neoclassical style is the Grand Post Office (1905–09), by Vedat Bey in Sirkeci.

The building brought back classical Ottoman elements from the 16th century such as two-color stone workmanship and Islamic geometric patterns.

After the Young Turk Revolution in 1908, the new government promoted Ottoman Revival architecture as a contrast to the many buildings built in western European styles.

After the Turkish War of Independence and subsequent formation of the Republic of Turkey, the new government, led by President Mustafa Kemal, further promoted the architectural style which would live out its golden years in the 1920s.