Underlining that Taksim Maksemi, which was re-functioned as the Republic Museum, does not only offer a viewing experience, IMM Deputy Secretary General Polat said, "We aimed for a museum that lives for viewers from all generations and constantly renews itself."
The historical Taksim Maksemi, built by Mahmud I between 1732-33 and serving as the city's water distribution point, is not only one of the symbol buildings of Istanbul, but also a cultural heritage that was effective in the centralization of the point where it is located due to its function and gave its name to the square.
IMM Heritage teams brought this living heritage of urban memory, which everyone who goes to Taksim has passed by, to Beyoğlu as the Republic Museum after approximately two years of restoration work.
We talked to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat about what awaits Istanbulites in the museum, which has been welcoming visitors since its opening on June 8, the historical and current importance of Taksim Maksemi for Beyoğlu, the scope of the restoration and the new projects of IBB Miras waiting to be completed. .
What was Maksem's condition before the restoration? Apart from its function during the Ottoman period, there is not much information about how the building was used during the Republican period. What kind of functions did Taksim Maksemi have in recent history?
Taksim Maksemi is one of the most important structures of the Ottoman water heritage... It has a special place in the city's memory, both due to its history, function and location. In Ottoman Istanbul, the city's water needs were met by transmission lines such as Halkalı Water Facilities, Kırkçeşme Facilities, Üsküdar Water Facilities, Hamidiye Water Facilities and Taksim Water Facilities. Maksem was the building where the water delivered to the city through the Taksim Water Facilities was distributed, that is, distributed.
Maxim; During its active period, it not only played an important role in meeting the water needs of Tophane-Fındıklı, Beyoğlu-Galata and Kasımpaşa regions; Thanks to clean and accessible water, it was also effective in the centralization of the region.
Taksim Maksemi, which gradually began to lose its function due to developments in water systems, changing cities and times, has witnessed different functions under the control of different institutions from time to time as it extends from past to present; Sometimes it remained idle. The water tank located right behind Maksem started to serve as IBB Taksim Maksemi Republic Art Gallery since 2008. After hosting various events as an art gallery for many years, it remained closed for a while.
IBB Taksim Republic Art Gallery re-joined the cultural and artistic life of the city with an event management worthy of its name, in 2021, with the exhibition "Atatürk, the Man of Culture", which was implemented with the vision of the new administration. Afterwards, it hosted other similar special exhibitions and continued this function until recently.
When did the restoration project of IBB Miras start? What is its scope?
Our IMM Heritage teams started restoration work in Maksem in 2022. Our priority was to protect the three-century-old heritage structure against all possible destructive threats and to transfer it safely to the future. In addition, we aimed to reveal the unique texture of the historical building and the potential it offers for the future of the city and make it shareable.
With the restoration and re-functional works we carried out in line with universal conservation principles, Maksem transformed into the Republic Museum and gained a face befitting the values it represents, the Republic and Istanbul. While designing this place, we made sure that it was not just a static, entertaining museum. We aimed to be an experience-oriented, living, constantly renewing museum for audiences of all generations; As a result, we produced an accessible and inviting space and offered it to the people of Istanbul.
Why was this Ottoman period cultural heritage, which was built by the order of Mahmud I during the Ottoman Empire and has symbolic importance for Beyoğlu, shaped around a theme that would carry the memory of the Republic period, especially as a museum?
As I mentioned before, Taksim Square is one of the first modern squares of the Republic. It is also one of the most important public spaces not only in Istanbul but also in Turkey. Taksim Maksemi, which gave its name to the square, thus became one of the structures that left a mark in the history of the Republic.
Taksim Square, which eternalized the spirit of the National Struggle with the Republic Monument, opened on August 8, 1928, now reinforces this identity with the Republic Museum. We dedicate this museum to the 100th anniversary of our Republic. As we were in our 100th year, we very much wanted to bring such a museum to the city. We think it is very meaningful that this is in Taksim Cumhuriyet Square.
Taksim Maksemi; Extending from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic and today; A structure that interacts with every period it witnesses and builds a bridge between different times. This museum, which comes to life in such a structure, is a public space that treats, integrates, unites and equalizes the society as a whole, just like the Republic itself. Republic is not just the name of a regime established in 1923, it is today itself; It is the struggle of these lands to survive. Istanbul now has a museum that explains what the Republic is to different generations.
What awaits visitors at the Republic Museum?
In the IMM Republic Museum; We witness, through different themes, documents and objects, a process that extends from the establishment of the Republic to the construction of the Republic step by step in every aspect of social life.
The content of the museum, created under the consultancy of our esteemed academicians, focuses on the years of the Republic with Ataturk. The establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the holidays of the Republic, the legal revolution, the leverage of the Republic: education, population and health policy, economy, transportation and communications, infrastructure, zoning and urbanization are some of the main themes presented by the IMM Republic Museum. The museum, which offers visitors comprehensive information and visuals under these general headings, also hosts a collection of Atatürk's personal belongings.
In the collection prepared with the contributions of Cengiz Kahraman, Osmantan Erkır, IMM Atatürk Library, IMM Atatürk Museum and British Pathe; It contains special documents and memories that witnessed the birth and establishment of the Republic. Reflecting the values and achievements of the Republic, the museum offers an experience especially for children and young people to absorb the history of the Republic.
Taksim Maksemi is a place that gave its name to Taksim Square because it was a point where water on the Galata-Beyoğlu line was shared in the Ottoman Empire. It is also the intersection point where the Square connects to Istiklal Street. Therefore, it also has symbolic importance for Beyoğlu. What do you think the spatial presence of the Republic Museum will have for the district, considering Beyoğlu's "wind of change" agenda, especially after the local elections?
In fact, in the past five years, we have taken important steps that will trigger change in Beyoğlu, as well as in all of Istanbul. In the period from 2019 to 2024, we carried out exemplary work to protect the cultural heritage of the city, to bring forgotten cultural assets into the city as new living spaces, and to expand the boundaries of public culture and art life.
We continue to protect the landmarks and places of memory of Beyoğlu, which has always been the center of multiculturalism from past to present, keeps the pulse of culture and art, and touches the lives of everyone who passes through here for generations. Beyoğlu Cinema, Casa Botter, Metrohan, and now the Cumhuriyet Museum, with their new function, breathe new life into the living climate of both Beyoğlu and Istanbul. Muammer Karaca Theatre, Galata St. Our work continues unabated with the same approach at Pierre Han and Karaköy Kuyumcu Han. With the buildings in question opening their doors again as living spaces of Istanbul with their new functions focusing on culture and arts, Beyoğlu will further reinforce its position as the center of attraction of the city, while the multi-layered memory of the region, dating back hundreds of years, will be transferred to the future with new testimonies.
Compared to five years ago, Istanbul is now a city that is much more accessible, its cultural and artistic infrastructure is much stronger, it is more hopeful, and it is starting to find its lost joy again. I can say that the same is true for Beyoğlu. I believe that our district municipality will carry out very valuable works with similar sensitivity and responsibility, and with common sense, we will bring back the lost values to Beyoğlu, which we miss.
What other projects does IBB Miras have planned to be completed in the coming period?
When we took office, the city's very valuable cultural assets were abandoned to extinction, and the public cultural and artistic life was stuck in certain points and forms of activity. We brought the heritage to life with culture and art; What we preserved with IBB Heritage, we kept alive with IBB Culture. And we expanded those stuck borders to reach Istanbulites from all walks of life and of all ages, and to open space for different cultural and artistic activities and different forms of expression.
Basilica Cistern, Museum Gazhane (Hasanpaşa Gas Works), Haliç Sanat (Fener Houses), Library Trolleybus (IETT Beyazıt Force Center), Anadolu Fortress, Gülhane Sanat (Gülhane Park Cistern), Artİstanbul Feshane (Feshane-i Amire), Istanbul Art Museum ( Haliç Shipyard), Istanbul Design Museum (Süleymaniye Row of Shops), Casa Botter (Botter Apartment), Cendere Sanat (Cendere Pump Station), Moda-Kadıköy-Beşiktaş Piers, Yedikule Gasworks, Baruthane (Bakırköy Gunpowder Factory) Bulgur Palace and Çubuklu Silos, Istanbul These are some of the important examples of our mission to protect and keep alive, and our understanding of serving the people of Istanbul.
In the near future, our cultural assets, which have important places on the city's heritage map, such as the Rumeli Fortress, Bukoleon Palace, Anemas Dungeons, Azatlı Gunpowder Factory, Dolmabahçe Gas Works, Haldun Taner and Reşat Nuri Stages, will be added to this list. Our second stage works in Botter Apartment, Metrohan, Artİstanbul Feshane, Yedikule Gas Works and Land Walls are progressing step by step.
I believe that together with all of them, we will get to know Istanbul better, experience it more, and feel like we belong to this city much more.
source:https://artigercek.com/kultur-sanat/mahir-polat-ticaret-seyirlik-degil-deneyim-odakli-yasayan-bir-muze-309801h