OPEN DOOR ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL – 15 OCTOBER 2025

Six Senses
Time: 10:00
With narration by Ali Emrah Ünlü…

The historic Kocataş Mansion stands out with its Rococo decorations. Built during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II and once hosting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the building opens its doors for the Open Door Architecture Festival.

Tracing the First National Architecture Movement in Istanbul: Sirkeci
Time: 10:00
With narration by Öznür Sayın…

Istanbul is a city where multiple historical periods can be experienced simultaneously. In Sirkeci, a district rich in architectural history, the Open Door Architecture Festival follows a route tracing the First National Architecture Movement. Visitors will explore buildings by prominent architects Vedat Tek and Kemaleddin, with the architectural language of the period analyzed through the Grand Post Office and 4th Vakıf Han, guided by Öznür Sayın.

Sancaklar Mosque
Time: 11:00
With narration by the Emre Arolat Architecture team…

Designed by EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture, Sancaklar Mosque is noted as a new interpretation of modern Islamic architecture. It will be visited as part of the Open Door Architecture Festival.

Casa Foscolo
Time: 10:30
With narration by Meriç Aktaş and Emrah Kuzlu…

Celebrating its 135th anniversary, Casa Foscolo welcomes visitors with all its elegance as part of the Open Door Architecture Festival.

Rumeli Fortress
Time: 12:00
With narration by Halil Kendir…

Built by Sultan Mehmed II to control ships passing through the Bosphorus, Rumeli Fortress will be visited during the Open Door Architecture Festival.

Yedikule Fortress Restoration
Time: 14:00
With narration by Celaleddin Çelik…

This multi-layered structure, where Byzantine and Ottoman histories merge, represents Istanbul’s living heritage today. The restoration process will be explored during the festival.

Bukoleon Palace
Time: 14:30
With narration by Ali Asker Ülker…

A seaside palace from the Middle Byzantine Period (mid-9th to early 13th century), Bukoleon Palace will be visited as part of the festival.

Hünkâr Pavilion
Time: 14:30

One of the most important examples of Classical Ottoman Architecture, Hünkâr Pavilion is part of the Yeni Cami Complex.

Restored by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the pavilion showcases 17th-century decorative tiles, stone, brick, plaster, glass, mother-of-pearl inlays, and Edirne-style ceramics. It was awarded the 2010 European Union Cultural Heritage – Europa Nostra Award. The pavilion will be toured under the hosting of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

Historic Liman Han
Time: 15:30

Designed by chief architect Vedat Tek, the Historic Liman Han stands out with its deep blue and turquoise tile patterns and geometric decorations. It opens for the Open Door Architecture Festival.

Basketball Development Center
Time: 16:00
With narration by Teğet Architecture…

Built on the site of the demolished Abdi İpekçi Arena in 2018, the Basketball Development Center hosted the 2024 Men’s Presidential Basketball Cup on its opening day. It has also hosted many other significant matches, such as the 2024 FIBA SuperCup Women’s game. The building will be toured with guidance from its architect, Teğet Architecture.

Rüstem Paşa and Yeni Cami: “On Geometry and Art”
Time: 18:45
With narration by Serap Ekizler Sönmez…

In this session titled “On Geometry and Art,” the geometric patterns of the classical Rüstem Paşa Mosque and the Yeni Cami, representing the end of the classical period, will be explored as part of the Open Door Architecture Festival.