The Nusretiye Camii was built between 1822 and 1826 by Sultan Mahmud II. The mosque was named Nusretiye or Victory, in celebration of the sultan's recent abolition of the rebellious janissary troops in favour of a new western-style army - an event known in Ottoman history as Vaka-i Hayriye or the auspicious event. It was next to the barracks at Tophane, which was the cannon foundry across the Golden Horn from the old city. The influence of baroque architecture is obvious on the mosque's Armenian architect Kirkor Balyan who had studied in Paris. The elaborate gilded kayiks or boats belonging to the Sultan always elicited excitement and interest from his subjects, and from foreigners who wanted to catch a glimpse of the mysterious despot who spent most of his life in the seclusion of his palace.