Category: Cultural
Type: Museum
Location: Kazlıçeşme, Abay Ave. Zeytinburnu
Date: 1893 / 2020
Designer: Unknown / Celâleddin Çelik
Period: Ottoman Empire
Photos: Nun Architecture Design, T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı (goturkiye.com)
The Zeytinburnu Mosaic Museum, situated within the historic 19th-century masonry structure originally commissioned as a military hospital by Sultan Abdulhamid II in 1893, represents a sophisticated synthesis of architectural layers ranging from the Late Roman era to the late Ottoman period. Following the serendipitous discovery of expansive floor mosaics dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries during a 2015 restoration, the site was reimagined by architect Celaleddin Çelik as a contemporary cultural hub and archaeological site. Architecturally, the project seamlessly integrates the robust, classical geometry of the Ottoman-era building with a lightweight, modern steel protective canopy that shields the ancient Byzantine remains while ensuring visual continuity and public accessibility. Today, the museum stands as a significant testament to Istanbul’s extramural urban history, bridging the gap between ancient craftsmanship and imperial institutional architecture through a minimalist and respectful restoration approach.
