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Vaniköy Mosque restored by Kalyon Foundation to serve as a place of worship and cultural center

The iconic Vaniköy Mosque, located on the Bosphorus, had been rendered unusable due to a fire that occurred two years ago. The Kalyon Foundation, committed to the restoration, had pledged to revive the mosque within a span of two years. True to their word, the 358-year-old mosque has risen from the ashes in just 18 months, thanks to the dedicated efforts of a team comprising 100 individuals.

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Vaniköy Mosque restored by Kalyon Foundation to serve as a place of worship and cultural center

In the 18th century, the ground floor of the Hünkar Pavilion, an addition to the historical mosque, was transformed into a library.

In collaboration with the Presidential National Library, this newly established library offers access to 1,600 works encompassing Istanbul's history, cultural life, mysticism, and architecture. Visitors to the mosque can now bask in the knowledge and wisdom contained within its walls.

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Vaniköy Mosque restored by Kalyon Foundation to serve as a place of worship and cultural center

Vaniköy Mosque stands out as the only library in Istanbul that overlooks the Bosphorus. In honour of Ahmet Kalyoncu, who passed away last year, the library bears his name as a testament to his legacy.

The mosque revival project marked a significant milestone. The structural reinforcement project was implemented, involving structural grouting applications on the existing walls and foundation walls of the mosque, as well as reinforcing the foundation walls.

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Vaniköy Mosque restored by Kalyon Foundation to serve as a place of worship and cultural center

Decayed wooden beams were replaced with sturdy oak beams embedded within the walls. The installation of the underfloor heating water system in the mosque has been completed, and essential elements such as the mihrab (prayer niche), pulpit, and lectern have been meticulously crafted. Additionally, wooden doors and windows were manufactured.

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Vaniköy Mosque restored by Kalyon Foundation to serve as a place of worship and cultural center

The exterior facades of the fountain were meticulously plastered and adorned with traditional khorasan mortar. Detailed fringe work was added in accordance with the project specifications.

Historical studies brought together a team of 100 dedicated individuals, with six out of seven technical staff members being women. These women, serving as the Project Manager, Restorator, Master Architect, Architect, and OHS Specialist, played a pivotal role in ensuring the project's success within a short timeframe.