OPEN DOOR ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL — OCTOBER 18, 2025

Süreyya Opera House

Time: 10:00

Located on Bahariye Street, Süreyya Opera House is a cultural building in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district, built in 1927. Today, it serves as a venue for the performance and presentation of symphonic and opera works. Designed in line with the European architectural and decorative style of the period, the building’s façade and interiors are adorned with figurative reliefs, ceilings with frescoes, and gilded stucco. It was commissioned by Süreyya İlmen to meet the cultural and social needs of the people of Kadıköy. The building functioned as a cinema for a long time after its opening. In 2005, it was leased by the Kadıköy Municipality for 49 years, restored, and reopened on October 27, 2007, as Turkey’s sixth opera house.

Rami Library

Time: 13:00

Narrated by Ferhat Zeycan…

With a history spanning over 250 years, Rami Library carries traces of the past into the present. Originally a military barracks, it now has a seating capacity of 4,200, making it Istanbul’s largest library by seating. The building, which has served many functions from an Ottoman barracks to a fruit market, was first constructed as an artillery barracks during the reign of Sultan Mustafa III and hosted up to 100,000 soldiers. Its restoration was completed by the architectural offices of Mimarlar and Han Tümertekin, transforming it into one of Europe’s largest libraries. Designed with public space usage in mind, the library was included in the 2025 Aga Khan Architecture Awards Shortlist.