Sultan Abdulhamid II put great emphasis on cultural activities, fine arts, and architecture. He commissioned many foreign architects and renovated the country. Some works erected during his period are; Museum of Archaeology of Istanbul, Museum of Oriental Masterpieces, Grand Trading Centre, The Italian Embassy, Haydarpasha Medical School, The Building of the General Debts and The Ottoman Bank, Karakoy Trade Centre, The Palace of Macka, Is Bank Ankara, The Sırkeci Station, Kutahya Ulu Mosque, Istanbul Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque, Cihangir Mosque.