In the town again there are a number of fine houses along Atatürk Bulvarı. They are called Levantine or Hungarian homes, for many were designed by Hungarian (and Italian) architects for French, German and Italian traders who came to Milas for the mining industry in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Some late-Ottoman houses have a single room (sometimes with vestibule) on top of their upper floor. Called ‘köşk odası’ (= kiosk room), it is used in summer, and closed off in winter (because it has no fireplace). Their high position grant them an optimal ventilation, making even the hottest day heavenly.
Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Anadolu Mirasında Türk Evleri’ (T.C. Kültür Bakanlığı) 1995.