THE HOUSE OF HAJI-AGA BABOVICH : THE KARAITE HERITAGE AT THE CROSSROADS OF BYZANTINE AND ISLAMIC CULTURES

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study the development of Eastern traditions in the architectural monuments of Yevpatoria using the example of the house of Haji-Aga Babovich.
The methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach, which combines analytical, historical-cultural, arthistorical, cross-cultural, hermeneutic, and contextual methods.
The results. The House of Haji-Aga Babovich in Yevpatoria is a unique architectural monument of the 18th century, reflecting the artistic synthesis of Byzantine, Islamic, and local traditions. The architectural structure of the building, particularly the presence of iwan – an open gallery characteristic of Ottoman and Islamic architecture – testifies to the profound influence of Eastern cultures on the architectural appearance of Yevpatoria. At the same time, this building serves as a significant testament to the historical presence of the Karaite community and its contributions to the development of the regional architectural heritage. Currently, the issue of comprehensive research, restoration, and preservation of the building as an important cultural heritage site that embodies the dialogue between East and West in the artistic culture of Crimea is becoming particularly relevant. The novelty. Currently, there are no fundamental works or scientific articles devoted to the artistic analysis of such an architectural monument as the house of Haji-Aga Babovich in Yevpatoria, since general sources are limited to guidebooks and brief mentions of this figure in the context of the activities of the city's Karaite community.
There are no periodicals that analyze and determine how the synthesis of styles was reflected in the artistic design of the monument in light of the development of a multi-ethnic city, namely, the influence of Ottoman art on the architecture of Yevpatoria. The article also provides a comparative analysis of the forms and functions of the iwan in the Sassanid, Ottoman,
and Crimean Tatar architectural traditions, as well as hammams in the context of the influence of Ottoman traditions.
Practical significance. Scientific research conducted in the context of Oriental studies opens up prospects for further interdisciplinary research aimed at studying conservation and restoration processes, as well as issues of cultural
heritage protection in Ukraine on the Crimean Peninsula. Of particular relevance is the analysis of the mutual influence
of Byzantine and Islamic traditions in the formation of the artistic culture of Crimea, which is reflected in both
architectural forms and decorative and applied arts. Further study of this synthesis can contribute to a deeper
understanding of the cultural identity of the region and the integration of Crimean heritage into the broader European
and global context of art studies.