Once a production center where coal was transformed into electricity and labor into commodity, Feshane now continues its life as a cultural and artistic venue that connects Istanbul’s past and future with its horizontal, expandable, and inclusive structure close to water and land. As one of the first industrial buildings of the Ottoman Empire, Feshane was reopened to Istanbul on June 22, 2023, following a comprehensive and meticulous restoration process carried out by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Heritage team. In addition to its exhibition and event spaces, the Naile Akıncı Library, which hosts special collections, adds fresh energy to the creative spirit of the city as a center where knowledge and art meet.
Serving as Istanbul’s largest cultural and artistic venue in public space, Artİstanbul Feshane has hosted significant exhibitions since its opening. “Starting from the Middle,” prepared by the Istanbul Art Council with 19 curators and 300 artists, “Dynamic Eye: Beyond Optical and Kinetic Art” from the Tate Collection’s Turkey selection, and Ahmet Güneştekin’s “Lost Alphabet” exhibition are among the prominent exhibitions that have so far met with art lovers at Artİstanbul Feshane.
Brief History of Feshane
Feshane-i Amire is located on the shore of the Golden Horn, on Defterdar Street in Eyüpsultan. Built as part of the Ottoman Empire’s official construction program and known as a “fabrika-i hümayun” (imperial factory), it is a significant example of industrial buildings. Established in the 19th century to meet the fez needs of the army and the public, the building was expanded with water reservoirs and dyehouses after the great fire of 1839. In 1843, the addition of a wool weaving section turned it into a comprehensive textile production center, thus laying the foundation of the wool weaving industry in the Ottoman Empire.
Undergoing many repairs and additions over the years, Feshane served not only as a production facility but also as an institution meeting the needs of the palace, army, and public, providing significant employment, and contributing to the training of technical staff. During the fire on December 30, 1949, its wooden material warehouses were damaged; these sections were repaired and rebuilt.
In 1986, while the Golden Horn area was being reorganized, some parts of the building were demolished, and others were moved to the Bakırköy Cotton Industry Facility. After ceasing operations, Feshane was leased by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to the Eczacıbaşı Foundation for 45 years. During this time, in 1989, it hosted the 3rd Istanbul Biennial with the support of the Dr. Nejat Eczacıbaşı Culture and Arts Foundation. Some sections were removed and reorganized. Returned to the IMM in 1990, the building was restored in 1998 to host fairs, congresses, exhibitions, and other cultural and artistic events.
