Saraj (Resen)
The Saraj (Macedonian: 
Сарај ) is a historic neoclassical estate in Resen, Macedonia. It was built in the early 20th century by the local Ottoman bey, Ahmed Niyazi Bey. The Saraj's architectural style makes it unique in Macedonia.
The name "Saraj" comes from the Turkish word saray meaning "palace". The building is now home to a museum, a ceramic colony, a gallery, and a library.
Description
The Saraj was built in the neoclassical architectural style. The building is symmetrical with a taller central portion, which rises 25 m (82 ft), and two wings. It has a basement, a main floor, a second floor, and an attic, and has a floor area of 4,800 m2 (51,667 ft2).
The building's exterior walls are 40 cm (1.3 ft) to 85 cm (2.79 ft) thick. They contain rich sculptural detail, particularly on the façade. The roof was originally made of wood but, during renovation in 1982, it was replaced with steel profiles.
History
Ahmed Niyazi Bey, a progressive and likely a member of the Young Turk Revolution, was the bey of the Resen area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The bey desired to have a French-style estate, perhaps after receiving a postcard of Versailles.
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