Levantines in Turkey

The origin and meaning

The term of Levant comes from French language. It means 'to born' in French. Even though it has been used for Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel; it was used to refer 'the sea in the east of Italy'.

By the time, the term of Levant was widened. During Byzantines and the first years of Ottomans, the term was used for Western Mediterraneans such as Italians, Catalans and Frenchs. During 18th and 19th centuries, the term also was used for settlers that came from Central and Northern Europe.

First Levantines

Levantines began to settle in Konstantinopolis in 991 when they were given trade privileges from Byzantines. They settled in Istanbul peninsula and Galata. Pera was the settlement of Genoese and Venetians. In the later years the traders from Amalfi and Pisa were given these privileges.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, there has been increasing differences between Latin-Western and Greek-Eastern Christians. According to Ortaylı, first significant Levantines were Genoese merchants who had traded with Byzantines.

The second significant group of Levantines were Venetians. At that time, Eastern Roman power was decreasing while Ottomans were gaining ground. Venetian merchants were traded across Mediterranean during Byzantine Era and built Galata Tower. Venetians and Ottomans were also allies against Genoese-Byzantine alliance.

Genoese were more active in Anatolian Peninsula while Venetians were powerful in Aegean islands. There were also several Italian city-states that were active in and around Anatolia. Crusades were also played important role in the lives of Levantines.

The cities chosen by Levantines were setlled in important trade routes and they were safe places. Istanbul was the center of Ottoman Empire and Izmir was a safe city located within a gulf and feeding Istanbul with its potential. Izmir was also a center for fresh produces such as grape, fig, olive and okra. Consequently, Venetians and Frenchs began to settle in Izmir after Genoese traders. By the time, Italian influence began to decrease and British, Dutch and German merchants increased their ties with Anatolian coast. They also married with other non-Catholic and non-Protestan Christians, especially Greek Orthodoxes.

Capitulations and Tanzimat

French merchants began to play an active role in Levant trade routes after French-Ottoman alliance. Ottomans gave safe passage for French traders and approved the capitulations for the French state.

Especially after Tanzimat Era, capitulations were approved for other European states. Consequently, there was a significant increase in the numbers of Europeans who came to Ottoman territories, especially in coastal cities. European traders were not Ottoman citizens, so they didn't have to pay taxes nor were obliged for the army. Therefore, Europeans became wealthier by the time. In addition, they became pioneers in industrialization and Western Art.

20th century

Ottoman Empire fought against the British, French and Italian during World War One. Victorious states of World War One compelled Ottoman government to sign the Treaty of Sèvres. The United Kingdom, Italy and France were among the occupants in Anatolia. After the independence of Turkey, there has been negative public opinion towards Levantines because of allegations that Levantines had cooperated with the Allies. After the Great Fire of Smyrna, most of Levantines left Izmir and only a few of them came back.

After the Committee of Union and Progress came into power after 1908 Revolution, Levantines began to be effected by policies of Turkish nationalists. Levantines were also not happy against increasing Greek presence in the city of Izmir. Greek occupation in Izmir weakened their power in the city economically. In addition, their economic interests suffered due to the World War One and in the first years of Turkey. The Great Depression effected Levantines very much. They quit their jobs and began to leave Turkey due to high maintenance costs. Their settlements became government property.

There has been significant problems in Turkish economy after Levantines and Greeks left the country. Turkey faced with exportation problems. Most of exports remained at the hands of local Turkish villagers. However, Turkish government left all capitulations of Levantines in order to break the monopoly for Turkish entrepreneurs.

Present

Today, numbers of Levantines are not clear. It is estimated there are 100-150 Levantines in Izmir. Another estimate put the number as hundreds. However, the number may be higher because of assimilation policies of Turkish nationalist-Kemalist governments, conversions to Islam because of the fear after the Greek and Armenian Genocides, or intermarriages. In the documentary about the Levantines of Izmir (Bazıları Onlara Levanten Diyor), Levantines call themselves as 'Christian Turks' and they say they are not happy to be called as Levantines.

Less than one hundred Levantine families left in Istanbul. However, the number is not clear. Istanbul pogrom has deeply effected Levantine population as much as Greeks, Armenians, and Jews. After Istanbul Pogrom, it is known that most of Levantines fled to France, the United States and other Western European countries. Most of them have second passports or they only have one passport which is belong to the country of their ancestors. Many young Levantines prefer going to abroad rather than staying in Turkey. The remaining Levantines or cions of them hold some meetings in Istanbul to protect their heritage and find their past.

There are also several Levantines left in Mersin and Iskenderun. There are still some families in Mersin who are the descendants of Europeans: Levante, Montavani, Babini, Brecotti, Şaşati, Vitel, Talhuz, Antoine-Mirzan, Nadir, Rexya, Soysal, Hisarlı, Kokaz, Daniel, Kokalakis, Yalnız. Mersin Catholic Church is still active in the city. Some of the members of the church are Maronites, still.

Istanbul

First Levantines in Ottoman territories lived in Pera ve Galata districts of Istanbul. The most populated time of Levantines was during 19th century with 14,000 population.

Izmir

In 1818, Traveller William Jowett described the distribution of Izmir's population as: Turks 60,000, Greeks 40,000, Jews 10,000, Latins 3,000, Armenians 7,000.

In 1856, Ottoman state allowed Christians to have possessions. Consequently, the Levantine number of Izmir began to increase dramatically. The number of non-Muslim population was 15,000 in 1847 while it has increased to 50,000 in 1880. Izmir became an Levantine city and began to called as 'the capital of Levant', 'the pearl of Levant', 'the Marseille of Anatolian coasts' or 'a Marseille on the coast of Minor Asia'.

The sources of 19th century estimates the population of Levantines between 16,000 and 25,000. The minimum proportion is %8 of Izmir population while the maximum estimate is %17.

Non-Muslim peoples of Izmir lived in different quarters. There was one each quarter for Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Frenks (Levantines). 1914 population estimate indicates; 378.000 Muslims and 217.686 Orthodoxes.

Mersin

Çukurova region gained importance after the plantation of cotton that came from Americas. Therefore, the cities of Adana and Mersin became the attraction point of Europeans. Levantines especially began to live in Mersin. Especially after the 19th century, European entrepreneurs created the 'Frenk Quarter' in Mersin. The population table is below during Ottoman times;

Language

There are some words effected Turkish language such as "racon" (show-off ) and "faça" (face).

Religion

Levantines are Western Christians. They are separated by their sects. Most of them are Catholics while there are Protestants (Anglicans and Baptists) among them.

Levantines have their own churches in some cities. They are named according to their ethnicity or sect such as Alman Protestan Kilisesi (German Protestant Church) or İzmir Baptist Kilisesi (Izmir Baptist Church). Churches in Izmir are sometimes called as 'Levantine Church'.

Churches

Education

There are French, Italian, German and Austrian schools in Istanbul and Izmir. However, most of students are Turks. Schools are counted as private school, however.

Schools

Architecture

One of the oldest buildings of Levantines is Galata Tower in Istanbul. It was in the European quarter until 1453. After the fall of Istanbul, Venetians surrendered the tower to Ottomans.

Izmir is the most important city for the remaining Levantine architecture. Karşıyaka (Courdelion), Bornova (Bournabad) and Buca (Boudja) were known as the center of Levantines in Izmir until Turkish Independence War. Levantines left tens of buildings in Izmir, most of them are mansions once belong to European merchant families. Some of them are below:

There are also some inns and konaks in Mersin that can be seen.

Notable people