Cultural Venue of Islahane, Thessaloniki

The building of the Cultural Venue of Islahane was constructed in 1903. It was part of the Islahane Ottoman orphanage that was established in 1874 by the city’s Muslim community to accommodate orphan boys of all religions. When the city was liberated, the building came into the possession of the Greek State, which, from 1920 onwards, leased it to individuals to house workshops, similar to the ones that were originally conducted in the School. In 1992, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports designated the building as a listed monument of cultural heritage, including its equipment. In 2011, the restoration and repurposing of the monument as a cultural venue were included in the Operative Programme “Macedonia-Thrace” of the NSRF 2007-2013. The works at the site were completed in 2015. Today, the Cultural Venue of Islahane stands as a significant landmark and a popular destination for both the local community and the wider region.