Lost beneath the modern cityscape, the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery holds a poignant history. This was once Istanbul’s largest non-Muslim cemetery. It stood near Taksim Square. Imagine a vast expanse filled with tombstones. They marked the final resting place for generations of Armenians.
The story of the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery begins in 1560. An epidemic swept through Constantinople. The Armenian community petitioned Sultan Suleyman for land. They needed a dedicated burial ground. Their request was granted and the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery was established.
Over time, the cemetery grew. In 1780, it was enlarged. In 1853, a wall enclosed it. The Pera district was nearby. A cholera outbreak in 1865 prompted a government ban on burials here. Burials were then directed to the Şişli Armenian Cemetery.
Now fast forward to the 1930s. The Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery faced demolition. In 1939, its marble tombstones were sold. They were used to construct Gezi Park’s fountains and stairs. Other parts of the cemetery helped build Eminönü Square. City planner Henri Prost designed both Gezi Park and Eminönü Square.
In 2013, excavation work unearthed a piece of the past. Sixteen tombstones from the Armenian Cemetery were discovered during the reconstruction of Taksim Square.
A legal battle ensued in 1932. Mesrob Naroyan, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, sought the property’s return. The Istanbul Municipality contested his claim. They argued that the Patriarchate lacked legal standing since 1916 due to the Armenian Genocide.
The Patriarchate asserted its legitimacy. It represented the cemetery on behalf of the Armenian Catholic Community and the Surp Agop Armenian Hospital. The commission investigating land ownership dismissed the Patriarch’s claims. Title remained with the Istanbul municipality and third-party owners.
Today, parts of Taksim Square, Gezi Park, the Divan Hotel, the Hilton Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, and the TRT Radio Buildings stand on the former grounds of the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery. Only the Surp Agop Armenian Hospital remains.
The Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery is a reminder of a rich cultural heritage. It is a story etched in stone and memory. Though physically altered, its history continues to resonate. It speaks of community, loss, and the ever-changing urban landscape.