Istanbul, Türkiye
Welcome to Feshane ArtIstanbul, where the spirit of Istanbul’s industrious past meets the energy of today’s creative world. This striking brick building, set along the banks of the Golden Horn in Eyüpsultan, is steeped in nearly two centuries of history.
Feshane’s story begins in the eighteen thirties, with the vision of Sultan Mahmud the Second, a forward-thinking Ottoman ruler. His aim was to modernise the army, so he established Feshane as a textile factory right in the heart of old Istanbul. The factory’s original task was simple: to produce uniforms and fez hats for soldiers and officials—symbols of a fresh direction in the Ottoman Empire’s style and identity. Before long, this modest workshop moved to its riverside location, where sunlight reflects off the tranquil waters.
During the latter part of the nineteenth century, Feshane grew rapidly. By eighteen ninety-four, it had become a flagship of Ottoman industry, complete with a school where young apprentices learned both the theory and practice of textile making. After a fire in the late eighteen sixties, the building was reconstructed using the most advanced technology of its day.
The story of Feshane shifted course when the Turkish Republic was born. The renowned Hat Revolution in the nineteen twenties led to a decline in fez production, prompting the factory to evolve—changing hands, changing names, and adapting its purpose. Still, the red-brick walls continued to witness Istanbul’s transformation over the years.
Textile manufacturing eventually ceased here in the late twentieth century. The city authorities then stepped in, launching a thorough restoration in the late two thousand tens. The building reopened in June two thousand and twenty-three as ArtIstanbul Feshane, creating a vibrant, eight thousand square metre cultural sanctuary.
Today, you are free to explore light-filled halls and lofty arches, discovering contemporary art that reflects both Turkish and international perspectives. The main exhibition, “Starting from the Middle,” delves into themes of history and renewal, encouraging you to pause and consider art’s constant evolution.
Meticulous restoration work has preserved the factory’s original iron details, textured brickwork, and awe-inspiring spaces, paying homage to generations of workers, whilst offering a new home for today’s artists. Throughout its long life, Feshane has welcomed people from all walks of life—workers, makers, visitors—just like the city it calls home.
As you wander through Feshane ArtIstanbul, you step into a living history of industry, reinvention, and creativity, nestled at the heart of one of the world’s oldest cities.
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