17.02.2025 10:41
The transformation of the 1500-year-old historical cistern, located next to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, one of Istanbul's most important structures, into a pool and massage center has sparked significant backlash. The ministry has taken action regarding the cistern, which was found to have unauthorized additions and to be operating without a permit.
Located next to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, the establishment operating under a world-famous 5-star hotel brand has turned the 1500-year-old historical cistern, which should be preserved for tourism, into a spa salon. The business, which has been likened to a dagger piercing through Istanbul's thousands of years of history, has drawn criticism.
MINISTRY TAKES ACTION
The center, which placed a pool inside the cistern, has also created special partitioned massage rooms on the lower floor. It has been reported that the business inside the historical cistern offers customers 40 minutes of massage and 40 minutes of pool service, charging 200 Euros (7,600 TL) per person for these services. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, through the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, has initiated action following the conversion of the historical cistern into a massage salon.
MINISTRY TAKES ACTION
The operation of a massage salon in the 1500-year-old historical cistern located right next to the Hagia Sophia has left many in shock, while the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, through the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, has taken action following the conversion of the historical cistern into a massage salon.
ILLEGAL ADDITIONS MADE
Inspections conducted in this context revealed that the cistern belongs to a foundation, public, and private ownership. It was determined that it falls within the Urban Archaeological Site and the Protection Principles and Usage Conditions of the Sultanahmet Square and Barbaros Houses Tourism Center Transition Period.
MUNICIPALITY REVEALS IDENTIFIED IRREGULARITIES
Due to the unresolvable irregularities caused by the minority share of the foundations, on December 31, 2024, Fatih Municipality requested a clear statement of what the irregularities were in the historical and registered cistern and the submission of approved projects. Following the request from the Board Directorate, Fatih Municipality found the following during its inspection:
- There is a glass addition adjacent to the entrance of the registered cistern and vault structures,
- There is a 120 cm deep experience pool in the upper level resembling a jacuzzi, which contains 2 columns,
- In the lower level, there are changing cabins, massage, sauna, and hamam facilities.
FOUND TO BE UNLICENSED
It has been learned that the 1500-year-old historical cistern, which has nearly 60 property owners due to inheritance transfer, is unlicensed. The business, which does not have an operating license and damages the historical structure, applied for tax exemption on November 27, 2024. However, this request was rejected by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, which decided that it would be evaluated after the irregularities in the cistern were resolved.