17.02.2025 14:12
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has communicated to the relevant Fatih Municipality the decision to urgently remove unauthorized activities related to the 1500-year-old cistern in the Fatih district of Istanbul, which has been converted into a massage parlor, following complaints. After this decision, the central Fatih Municipality sealed the premises.
The world-famous 5-star hotel located next to Hagia Sophia operates a 1,500-year-old historical cistern as a SPA (massage) center. The use of the historical structure as a massage parlor has caused reactions. It has been learned that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism filed a criminal complaint against the business in 2023 following complaints from the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums. After the letter from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the center was sealed by the Fatih Municipality.
The Navitas Spa Cistern, located under the world-famous 5-star Hilton Hotel next to the Hagia Sophia, uses the 1,500-year-old historical cistern as a SPA (massage) center. On the official website of the business, in the 'about us' section, it states, "If you want to experience a unique spa pleasure in a magical atmosphere, choose Navitas. Hagia Sophia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton, located in the heart of Sultanahmet, hosts a modern spa center within the 1,500-year-old historical cistern. Navitas Spa is a center that offers personalized services and is unparalleled. Many high-level services are provided here. Massage therapies focus on the harmony of the soul, body, and mind. Exotic Central Asian massages are performed by professional teams. Navitas Spa offers 13 different massage and care packages, including popular treatments such as Far Eastern, Swedish, Aromatherapy, Candle, Sultan, Hot Stone massage, and Sihr-i Sarnıç couple therapy packages."
ILLEGAL ADDITIONS MADE TO THE HISTORICAL CISTERN The use of the historical cistern as a massage parlor has caused reactions. It has been determined that the historical cistern, identified as belonging to public and private property, is located within an urban archaeological site and falls under the Protection Principles and Usage Conditions of Sultanahmet Square and Barbaros Houses Tourism Center. It has been learned that the historical cistern, which was approved for the restoration project of the Navitas Spa Cistern business, has altered its original structure after being converted into a massage and jacuzzi salon with illegal additions.
FIRST DECISION MADE IN 2022 In a statement made from the Ministry's social media account, it was reported that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism decided to remove the cultural property in Istanbul, which was the subject of the news titled "They turned the 1,500-year-old cistern into a massage parlor," in 2022 and filed a criminal complaint in 2023.
It was stated in the announcement that the cistern, located in the Cankurtaran neighborhood of Fatih district in Istanbul, is classified as a first group cultural property that needs protection and remains within the urban archaeological site.
"Following complaints regarding the use of the cistern by a hotel business as a pool, necessary actions were promptly initiated by the relevant Regional Protection Board Directorate, and with the decision of the Board dated 15.11.2022, it was decided that the irregularities in the cistern and the storage area should be removed under the supervision of the relevant administration within 6 months. After the failure to remove the unauthorized applications, a criminal complaint was filed with the decision of the Board dated 26.12.2023, and it was decided that the irregularities should be rectified and the survey, restitution, and restoration projects should be submitted. Subsequently, a request for tax exemption related to the registered property was submitted by the relevant parties, and the request was deemed inappropriate by the Board decision dated 27.11.2024 due to the unresolved irregularities in the property."
In the statement, it was noted that the follow-up of the decisions taken by the relevant Regional Protection Board Directorate was carried out through various letters, and in the latest letter from the Directorate dated December 19, 2024, it was requested that the requirements of the board decision be promptly fulfilled and unauthorized applications be removed.
NOTIFICATION TO THE MUNICIPALITY FOR REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORIZED APPLICATIONS In a letter dated December 31, 2024, from the Fatih Municipality, it was stated that to implement the board decision, it was requested to clearly specify what the irregularities were and to submit the approved projects, and it was stated that "With the letter dated 28.01.2025 from the relevant Regional Protection Board Directorate, the irregularities in the property were detailed, and it was communicated to the relevant municipality that unauthorized applications should be removed immediately with the approved projects."
MASSAGE PARLOR SEALED Following this letter and the news that emerged in the media today regarding the business, the business was sealed by the Fatih Municipality Building Control Directorate teams in accordance with the decisions of the Protection Board.