Katipler Konağı (Mansion)
Katipler Konağı is one of central Çorum’s listed examples of civil architecture, standing on Alaybey Street in the Karakeçili neighborhood. According to the records of the Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the mansion was built in 1878, during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. It should not be confused with the neighboring, likewise-listed Alaybey Konağı on the same street; the two are separate buildings.
History
The mansion was built as a two-storey house with a garden, following a central-hall (“karnıyarık”) plan. It served as a private residence until 1975, after which it was restored to its original form in 1995 and, that same year, opened as a licensed restaurant certified by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The building is registered as a protected cultural asset within Çorum’s urban conservation area.
Architecture
The structure was built on stone foundations using the timber-frame (“hımış”) technique with mudbrick infill. Its front and side facades feature rectangular window surrounds with woodwork typical of Çorum houses. Inside, the rooms are arranged around central halls in keeping with the traditional Çorum house plan. Together with Veli Paşa Konağı, built around the same period, Katipler Konağı is counted among the best-known surviving examples of Çorum’s traditional civil architecture.
Present Use
Since its 1995 restoration, the mansion has operated as a restaurant run by the same family, serving traditional dishes of Çorum and Anatolian cuisine — including regional specialties such as İskilip dolması — within a historic setting. Readers wanting an overview of Çorum’s traditional civil architecture can see the Çorum Houses article, and for the city’s other listed mansions, the Historic Mansions of Çorum guide.
Frequently asked questions
When was Katipler Konağı built?
According to the Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the mansion was built in 1878, during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II, with a central-hall ("karnıyarık") plan.
Where is Katipler Konağı located?
It stands in central Çorum, in the Karakeçili neighborhood on Alaybey Street, within the boundaries of the urban conservation area, and is officially listed as a protected cultural asset.
What is Katipler Konağı used for today?
It was restored in 1995 and converted into a licensed restaurant serving traditional Çorum cuisine.