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A historic Ottoman-era police station in Istanbul's Kagithane district has reopened as a public social facility and book cafe under the name Vefa Konagi, following a restoration project carried out by Kagithane Municipality.
Originally built during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II, the Sadabad Police Station served as both a gendarmerie and police station for many years before structural deterioration forced its closure in 2018.
The restored building now welcomes visitors as a public space, bringing the historic structure back into everyday use while preserving its original architectural features.
The site's first building was constructed in 1859 as a two-story structure, before being replaced in 1892 by a single-story stone building during Abdulhamid II's reign.
After serving as a security facility for decades, the building was officially registered as a protected cultural property in 2005. However, physical deterioration eventually led authorities to close it in 2018.
A restoration project was drawn up in 2021, with work focusing on strengthening the building's foundations and walls while maintaining its historic character.
As part of the restoration, workers installed a wooden roof system consistent with the original architecture and repaired the floors, doors and windows to preserve the building's distinctive features.
One of the restoration's notable discoveries was the rediscovery of Sultan Abdulhamid II's tughra, an ornate calligraphic emblem used as an Ottoman ruler's official signature.
The historic emblem was uncovered and restored during the renovation work.
Speaking at the opening, Kagithane Mayor Mevlut Oztekin said the project had brought one of the district's significant historic buildings back into public use.
"We have brought Sultan Abdulhamid II's imperial emblem back to light. By opening Vefa Konagi to the public as a social facility and book cafe, we are making a historic building part of everyday life once again. We will continue to protect Kagithane's cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations," Oztekin said.
The municipality has now opened the restored property under its new name, Vefa Konagi, combining its preserved Ottoman architecture with its new function as a book cafe and social facility.
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