Restoration project violations discovered at historic Sansaryan Han

It has been revealed that the historic Sansaryan Han in Sirkeci, Istanbul—which was used for many years by the Police Department and where many intellectuals and revolutionaries, including Nâzım Hikmet, Ahmed Arif, Ruhi Su, Aziz Nesin, Mihri Belli, Deniz Gezmiş, Vedat Türkali, and Cihan Alptekin, were tortured—was not restored in accordance with its project.

It was stated that the historic structure was restored by the Aktarlı Group and the US-based Marriott International to be used as a 5-star hotel and is set to open shortly.

DECISIONS REVEALED

The Regional Conservation Board decisions regarding Sansaryan Han, which is announced to have 63 rooms, a terrace restaurant, and 8 shops on its front facade, have been revealed.

According to a report by İsmail Arı from BirGün, the Regional Conservation Board decided on May 24, 2023, to "remove the constructions on the roof of the Sansaryan Han, which is a registered structure located within a historic and urban protected area," and issued a warning to "comply with the restoration project."

IT WAS A TORTURE CENTER

The ownership of Sansaryan Han, which the Armenian merchant Mıgırdiç Sanasaryan had allocated to Armenian schools in 1889 for the education of Armenian children, was transferred to foundations in 1929.

The building was used by the Istanbul Police Department for a long period starting in 1935. While it functioned as a police headquarters, individuals held in custody there were subjected to torture.

News Source: 12punto