Istanbul’s iconic Haydarpaşa Station, a historic landmark overlooking the Kadıköy waterfront, is undergoing a major transformation into a vibrant center for art, culture, and railway transportation. Launched as the “Station-Culture-Art Project,” the initiative seeks to restore the station’s historic character while reimagining it as a modern cultural hub.
Originally built in 1906 and opened in 1908, Haydarpaşa Station has survived wars, explosions, accidents, and fires throughout its history. Extensive restoration work, including repairs after the 2010 fire, has preserved its architectural identity, ensuring the station’s legacy endures.
The current project, led by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will introduce performing arts spaces, libraries, museums, exhibition halls, and art workshops, while maintaining active railway services. Plans also include creating green public gardens to address the area’s need for open spaces.
A new Archaeology Museum will showcase artifacts unearthed during Marmaray tunnel excavations, turning Haydarpaşa into a cultural and archaeological park. The station’s historic mosque will remain preserved and continue to serve worshippers. Once completed in 2026, the project will establish Haydarpaşa as one of the most significant cultural landmarks on Istanbul’s Anatolian side.