Taksim Reservoir

This Istanbul museum is open in a rather unusual place - at Taksim Maksemi (water distribution station). This place is vitally important for Istanbul without exaggeration. The fact is the city has long been - since the days of Constantinople - experienced a shortage of potable water. Therefore it was stored in underground reservoirs (tanks) or was pumped from the nearby forest areas with the help of water pipes. And only then it was distributed to the station.

Time has passed and Istanbul today is a metropolis having resolved all problems with the water. But the station remained. As not to keep it in vain, the enterprising Turks had opened an art gallery here. The exhibits will be discussed later, and now let’s get back to the building. After all, it is in itself - a monument and a landmark!

The reservoir was built in 1732 by order of Sultan Mahmud the First. The water flowing from the forest, went to urban areas (including Taksim). It was this water tower which has spared the thirst of Pera and Beyoglu areas (the old quarters in Taksim). The house, built of sandstone, is located between the Istiklal Avenue and Tarlabashi Boulevard. Above the reservoir there is a two-storey tower with a cone on top. There’s also a fountain made of marble near at hand.

The museum, which cost the city about a half million dollars, is very spacious. Its area is about 1 square kilometer. It was used for exhibitions of Turkish artists, thematic exhibitions and everything connected with the history of Istanbul. There is enough space for the exhibits - there are twenty-four rooms in the former water-tower.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, except Monday. The entrance is 5 lire, it’s about $3.