Ypsilanti
Alexander Ypsilanti (1725-1807)
The main thoroughfare across the bridge would have continued along Křížová Street. However, you come up via Ypsilanti Street, a name that likely raises questions. Who or what is Ypsilanti? The street is named after Alexandros Ypsilanti, a notable figure from Greek history who had a surprising connection to Brno.
Alexandros Ypsilanti was a Greek nobleman living in the Ottoman Empire during the late 18th century. The Ottoman Empire, at the time, was a vast and diverse multi-ethnic realm, and the Greeks held a somewhat privileged position within it. Many Greeks served in high-ranking roles as administrators, governors, and diplomats. Ypsilanti himself rose to prominence as the Ottoman governor of Moldavia and later Wallachia (modern-day Romania).
During the frequent conflicts between the Ottoman and Habsburg Empires, Ypsilanti was captured by Austrian forces and brought to Brno. Initially, he was housed in a building located just at the corner of this street. This building, intriguingly, bore the name At the Sign of the Turk—a misnomer that Ypsilanti, a proud Greek, reportedly found offensive. After some time, the Austrian authorities decided to question him further and temporarily imprisoned him at the Špilberk Castle. However, once they determined he posed no threat, he was released and allowed to reside in more comfortable accommodations on Náměstí Svobody (Freedom Square).
Ypsilanti lived in Brno for about three years, during which time he became something of a local curiosity. Known for his eccentricity, he would often walk through the streets dressed in traditional Greek attire. He made a point of publicly displaying his loyalty to the Austrian Empire—crossing himself before imperial portraits, for instance—though the sincerity of these gestures was a subject of speculation. Eventually, he was released and sent back to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).
Upon his return to the Ottoman Empire, Ypsilanti's loyalty came under scrutiny. The Ottoman Sultan, wary of growing nationalist sentiments among the Greeks within the empire, grew distrustful of him. This suspicion proved fatal, as Ypsilanti was eventually executed. His grandson, however, would go on to become a prominent hero of the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s, and his tomb is celebrated in Athens as a symbol of Greek freedom.
Interestingly, the Ypsilanti family maintained connections to Brno even after Alexandros's death. In the 19th century, the wife of his granddaughter purchased the Veveří Castle near Brno, further cementing their local ties.
Today, the history of Alexandros Ypsilanti in Brno is commemorated in small but notable ways. The building where he initially lived bore a statue of a man seated cross-legged with a water pipe, titled "The Turk." This misrepresentation of Ypsilanti's identity reflects the era's limited understanding of cultural distinctions; to many locals, anyone from the Ottoman Empire was simply "Turkish." Unsurprisingly, Ypsilanti himself was deeply offended by this inaccurate label, underscoring his proud Greek heritage.
The "Turk" Sign
The story of Alexandros Ypsilanti and his family is a fascinating reminder of Brno's role as a crossroads of empires, cultures, and histories. His presence here connects the city to broader European and Ottoman narratives, showing how Brno, though far from the front lines, was touched by the political and cultural tides of its time.