The new living center of the Historical Peninsula: Bulgur Palas opens to visitors
Purchased by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) in 2021, Bulgur Palas has been transformed into a cultural center following the completion of its restoration. Bulgur Palas meets with Istanbul residents on February 28.
12punto
12punto.com.tr
The restoration of Bulgur Palas, which was designed by Italian architect Giulio Mongeri for Habib Bey of Bolu in 1912 on Kocamustafapaşa Hill, known as the seventh hill of Istanbul, has been completed.
Purchased by the IBB in 2021, Bulgur Palas has become a brand-new cultural center for Istanbul residents on the Historical Peninsula.
REMINISCENT OF A CHATEAU
With its magnificent structure reminiscent of a chateau, its location, and its history spanning over a century, Bulgur Palas, which appears in many old photographs of Istanbul, opens its doors to visitors tomorrow as part of a special exhibition.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Left to its fate for years, Bulgur Palas was restored in accordance with its original state through work carried out under the consultancy of Kiptaş.
Bulgur Palas, which has been transformed into a culture, art, and living space through the meticulous repurposing efforts carried out by IBB Heritage, will meet with Istanbul residents.
ABOUT BULGUR PALAS
The Mansion of Habib Bey of Bolu, known as Bulgur Palas, is one of the important examples reflecting 20th-century Istanbul civil architecture. Located in Fatih, on Kocamustafapaşa Hill, defined as the seventh hill of the city, the magnificent structure was commissioned by the Bolu Deputy of the period, Mehmet Habib Bey. The reason the mansion is called "Bulgur Palas" (Bulgur Palace) is that Mehmet Habib Bey of Bolu, who became wealthy through grain trade, became famous under the name "Habib Bey, the Bulgur King."
The mansion, which dates back to 1912, is thought to bear the signature of Italian architect Giulio Mongeri. In terms of its architectural features, it exhibits a successful example of the First National Architectural Movement, of which Architect Mongeri was also an important representative.
The structure, which was transferred to the Ottoman Bank in 1926 due to the debts that Mehmet Habib Bey could not pay after taking on a heavy economic burden during the construction process of the mansion, was used as the Ottoman Bank archive for many years and also functioned as a residence for bank employees.
With the transfer of the Ottoman Bank to a private bank in 2001, the ownership of the structure also changed hands.
While it was a private property closed to the access of city residents, it was purchased by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) in 2021 and gifted to the people of Istanbul.
Bulgur Palas, whose restoration was undertaken by Kiptaş and whose repurposing process was undertaken by IBB Heritage, was brought into city life in 2024 as a public living space serving all Istanbul residents with its library, multi-purpose event areas, social venues, and observation terrace.
Bulgur Palas, which can be visited for free every day except Monday between 10:00 and 19:00, has a library that is open until 22:00 every day.