Evliya Çelebi describes Ortaköy as follows: Non-Muslims used to live at Ortaköy. In the time of Süleyman, Defterdar Paşa built a mosque by the sea and other members of the elite built waterfront mansions, and the place became prosperous. Along the river by the sea, there are 2,300 waterfront mansions, palaces with gardens, orchards, and vineyards, along with other houses.
Source: Travel Account, 17th century
-Nurhan Atasoy, Seyit Ali Kahraman
Resources:
Evliya Çelebi Seyahatnâmesi: Topkapı Sarayı Bağdat 304 Yazmasının transkripsiyonu (Open in Zotero)
Originally published at: Atasoy, Nurhan, and Seyit Ali Kahraman “Ortaköy.” Middle East Gardens Traditions. Dumbarton Oaks, December 1, 2014. https://www.doaks.org/resources/middle-east-garden-traditions/catalogue/C98. Archived at: https://perma.cc/5UDZ-R9BM.