Audio GuideSalt Galata

Step into SALT Galata, and you step into a living piece of Istanbul’s history. This remarkable building, once the headquarters of the Ottoman Bank, now serves as a contemporary centre for culture and the arts. Designed in the late nineteenth century by Alexander Vallaury, one of the city’s leading architects, it still impresses with its elegant stone exterior. That is, a true reflection of a bygone era. High above, the ceilings soar, while marble staircases sweep past ornate, time-weathered details. All these features have been lovingly conserved from the building’s days as a symbol of Istanbul’s financial strength.

Abdullah Öğük

Inside, sunlight streams through lofty windows and illuminates thought-provoking exhibitions that explore the Ottoman Bank’s impact on Turkey’s evolution. The collection includes rare photographs, personal documents, banking relics and the original vaults that once safeguarded vast fortunes. Among the many stories held within these walls, one stands apart. This is the dramatic incident in eighteen ninety-six, when the bank was seized and staff and customers were held hostage by a group determined to attract global attention to atrocities against the Armenian community. This episode connects the building’s history not only to finance, but also to major shifts and unrest in Turkish society.

Ceren COŞAR

Today, SALT Galata has become much more than a museum. It flourishes as a gathering place for art, research and new ideas. You can explore a wide range of exhibitions—some steeped in Istanbul’s rich heritage, others showcasing bold contemporary projects. You might pause for a moment in one of the bustling cafés. Creative minds and researchers meet in collaborative workspaces and in the esteemed library. This library is an open resource brimming with materials on Turkey and its neighbours, and it offers free Wi-Fi to all.

Situated only a short walk from the iconic Galata Tower on Bankalar Street, SALT Galata’s majestic halls now play host to talks, workshops and artistic experimentation. Here, traces of history mingle seamlessly with fresh perspectives. Through its dedication to openness and cultural innovation, SALT Galata has earned a cherished place in Istanbul’s thriving creative landscape, standing shoulder to shoulder—and sometimes ahead of—the city’s other modern galleries. Whether you are looking for inspiration, a peaceful break or a deeper understanding of Istanbul’s many stories, you will find it at SALT Galata.