Istanbul Railway Museum
Istanbul Railway Museum was opened in Sirkeci Station on 23.09.2005. Serving on an area of 45.50 square meters, 300 cultural assets are exhibited in the museum.
The foundation of Sirkeci Station, Istanbul's gateway to Europe, was laid with a great ceremony on February 11, 1888. The architect of the magnificent station building, which was put into service on November 03, 1890, is A.Jasmund, a German architect and engineer. Jasmund, a graduate of Berlin University, oriental architecture He came to Istanbul to conduct studies on the subject, and by gaining the trust of Sultan Abdulhamit II, he became the consultant architect of the palace.
While preparing the project of the Jasmund station building, he especially focused on one point. Istanbul was the place where the West ended and the East began. In other words, it was the point where East and West met. Therefore, the building should be implemented with an orientalist style, and regional and national form patterns should be included. Brick bands were used on the facades to reflect it. Pointed arched windows made a wide entrance door reminiscent of Seljuk period stone doors. Stained glass completed this style.
The base of the building was made of granite, the facade was made of marble and stones brought from Marseille Arden. Large tile stoves brought from Austria were placed in the waiting rooms. The lighting of the building was provided by 300 gas lanterns placed in various places.
