Audio GuideGazhane Museum

At the heart of Istanbul’s Kadıköy district, Müze Gazhane stands as a striking meeting point between the city’s past and present, alive with both history and creative energy. This remarkable site was originally the Hasanpaşa Gasworks, established in the closing years of the nineteenth century during the Ottoman Empire—about one hundred and thirty years ago. At that time, it was one of only four gasworks powering the growing city. Coal from distant places would arrive by sea and rail, destined for the towering furnaces within these walls. Teams of workers carefully transformed the coal into gas, which travelled through a network of pipes to illuminate streets and bring warmth to homes on the Anatolian side—when electricity was still a rare luxury.

Oğuzhan Abdik

After faithfully serving Istanbul for more than a century, the furnaces were finally shut down in the early nineteen nineties, replaced by the arrival of natural gas. For a while, the old gasworks stood silent, used only for storage and left to weather and rust. However, local people, campaigners, and architecture experts refused to let this industrial treasure disappear. Thanks to their dedication, the crumbling plant was protected, restored, and renewed for a new era.

Ediz Burak Aksoy

Today, Müze Gazhane opens its doors across nearly thirty thousand square metres, welcoming visitors into light-filled courtyards, alongside red-brick walls, lofty steel structures, and spacious halls. The complex still hints at its industrial roots, showcasing preserved stonework, vintage machinery, and bold architectural lines. But these buildings have found new purpose as a home for Istanbul’s flourishing cultural scene. Here, you will find exhibitions on science and climate, galleries devoted to animation and caricature, creative spaces and workshops, theatres that can seat hundreds, and a public library with tens of thousands of volumes. Cafés and walkways encourage both locals and visitors to stay and enjoy the atmosphere.

Ertug Ekenler

From the first glow of gaslight to today’s vibrant mix of technology, art, and environmental awareness, Müze Gazhane stands as a powerful symbol of Istanbul’s transformation—a celebration of ingenuity, shared history, and a future shaped by community and culture.