A bustling neighborhood in Istanbul’s Eyupsultan district. That’s Rami Cuma. Have you ever wondered about its past? Its history stretches back centuries. Originally Rami Barracks Farm. Sultan Mustafa II gifted this land to Rami Mehmed Pasha. He was the grand vizier a powerful minister in the Ottoman Empire.
The farm served the army. It provided supplies for troops. It was also used for the Biniş-i Hümayun. These were short trips taken by Ottoman sultans. They traveled by horse or royal boat.
In 1826 military barracks were built. This was after the Janissaries were disbanded. The barracks opened in 1828. They became known as the Rami Barracks. They served as headquarters during the Ottoman-Russian War of 1828-29. Sultan Mahmud II himself stayed there. Between 1836 and 1837 engineering students moved in. A science center was also established.
The Rami Barracks survived World War I. It continued to be used for military purposes. This lasted until 1971. The compound then passed into civilian control. In 2010 Istanbul was named the European Capital of Culture. The idea of turning the Rami Barracks into a library arose. The restoration began in 2014. It took until 2023 to complete the massive project.
The restoration preserved the original structures. Damaged areas were rebuilt using natural materials. The central courtyard was greened. Now it’s a large green space. The old mosque was also repaired. The Rami Library opened its doors. It is now the largest library in Turkey and Europe. It occupies 220 decares. The indoor space is 36000 square meters. The courtyard is another 51000 square meters. Rami Cuma’s past is now a vibrant part of Istanbul’s future. A place where history lives and learning thrives. A testament to careful restoration and the importance of preserving the past. This is Rami Cuma a neighborhood reborn.