With refunctionalization projects carried out considering the city's service needs, living spaces accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds continue to be introduced to Istanbul residents.
The forgotten industrial heritage site, the Cendere Pump Station, was restored by İBB Miras and brought back to the city. Through this refunctionalization project, the building has joined Istanbul life as a library, event and exhibition space, audio study areas, and periodic exhibition galleries.
Our library, opened as part of this project, focuses on art and water culture with its collection of books, contributing to Istanbul’s cultural and artistic life since October 24, 2022.
Cendere Art Library offers a welcoming environment under the shade of a 390-year-old plane tree for all Istanbul residents who need quiet or audio study areas. The library is open every day except Mondays. Please note that there is no lending service available at this library.
About Cendere Pump Station
Cendere Pump Station is one of the few remaining industrial heritage buildings in Istanbul. It was constructed in 1902 by Sultan Abdulhamid II because the city's main water line, the Taksim water facilities, could no longer meet the growing demand. The station was part of the Hamidiye Water System, the city’s second largest network, which was fed by natural springs.
At the time of its construction, the Hamidiye water was considered the “purest and highest quality drinking water.” From the Cendere Water Station, which distributed water to all neighborhoods along the road to Beşiktaş Yıldız Palace, approximately 1,200 cubic meters of water were pumped daily to about 100 fountains in the city.
Over time, the building lost its 33-meter-high brick chimney, and after switching to an electric system, some interior spaces were modified. However, the structure has largely preserved its original texture to the present day.
The station continued to operate until the 1990s, supplying water to only a few fountains in the city.
Capacity: 22 m², 15 people
Address: Huzur Mahallesi, Cendere Street No:128
