While exploring the attractions of Istanbul, I came across a very unusual art museum. The exhibition is called Borusan Contemporary. What makes this place interesting is that the museum's exhibits are located within the walls of one of the city's active office buildings.
How to Get There
The museum is located away from the center of Istanbul. The most convenient way to get here is by metro with a transfer to the F4 funicular line. The station you need to reach is Aşıyan. You can plan your route using the "Moovit" app.
Another option to reach the museum is to take a ferry, which is convenient for those living on the Asian side of the city.
The journey from the stops to the museum will take no more than 15 minutes. The address of the exhibition space is Baltalimanı Hisar Cad. Perili Köşk No:5.
In February 2024, the entrance fee is 150 liras. The museum is only open on Saturdays and Sundays.
A Bit of History
The building that houses the exhibition is called a fairytale mansion or a haunted house. Guidebooks do not specify the dates of the construction of the building, but it is known that it was intended for the adjutant of the last Khedive (ruler) of Egypt.
The construction of the mansion was not completed; the cancellation of the titles of the Khedives and the beginning of World War I interrupted the work. Probably, the name "haunted mansion" appeared precisely because of the neglect of the unfinished construction.
Over time, the mansion was completely rebuilt. Its premises were taken over by the headquarters of the Turkish holding company Borusan. The company is involved in steel production, distribution, logistics, and other activities.
The museum's format is very unusual: visitors to the exhibition space move between offices that are occupied by holding employees on weekdays. The halls feature a variety of contemporary art pieces. The collection includes about 800 exhibits.
The mansion has seven floors. On the top level of the building, there is an open observation deck with an excellent view of the Bosphorus, the Asian part of the city, and the bridges of Istanbul.
As I mentioned earlier, the mansion is located far from many interesting places in the city center, but a few attractions can be found here. For example, very close to the museum is the ancient Rumelian Fortress. In warm weather, tourists can take a stroll to the Emirgan Park, known as one of Istanbul's places where tulip festivals take place.
ave a nice trip!
