Located in Şişhane on the bustling Istiklal Street, Casa Botter is a historic building dating back to the early 20th century. The word "Casa" means "house" in Latin, so as you can deduce from the name, this building was once the home of Mr. Botter.
What makes this building so special is that it's the first example of Art Nouveau architecture in Istanbul. Moreover, it was the second building in Istanbul to have an elevator during that era.
Casa Botter opened its doors to visitors on April 14, 2023. Nowadays, the building serves as an exhibition hall and a public workspace, complete with private conference rooms. So feel free to grab your books and laptop, come here to study, and get some work done.
About Casa Botter
Casa Botter was constructed by a renowned artist of that era, Raimondo D’Aronco. This building is not merely a structure, but can be described as a magnificent piece of art. The construction began in 1900 and was completed in just one year. Thus, by 1901, Casa Botter was fully operational. At the time, Art Nouveau was a relatively unknown architectural style in Turkey, and as the first example of this style, Casa Botter holds a special place in history. Furthermore, elevators were a novel feature in buildings during that period. After Pera Palace, Casa Botter was the second building in Istanbul to install an elevator, adding to its unique charm and value.
Who is Mr. Botter?
Casa Botter was commissioned by Padishah Abdülhamid II, who was known for his refined style and meticulous clothing choices. Thus, the Padishah decided to construct a workspace for his esteemed palace tailor, Jean Botter. Botter not only operated this building as Turkey's first fashion house but also resided with his family on the upper floors.
WHEN TO VISIT
Casa Botter welcomes visitors every day of the week, except for Mondays. It's open from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM. Currently, there is no entrance fee, making it accessible to everyone.
How to Get There
Casa Botter is situated on the well-known Istiklal Street, making it easy to find. It's located in the Şişhane district. The most convenient way to get there is by using the Metro (M4), but you also have other options such as taking the tram, funicular, or going on foot.
Metro (M4) - The Şişhane Metro Station is just around the corner from Casa Botter. Simply hop on the M4 and get off at the Şişhane station.
Funicular - If you're near the Golden Horn and don't fancy walking uphill, you can take the funicular from Karaköy to Şişhane.
On Foot - You can either stroll down from Taksim Square along Istiklal Street until you reach Şişhane, or if you're in Karaköy, you can ascend the hill past the Galata Tower to reach Casa Botter.
- by Julide Koca
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