If you ever visit Sirkeci, make sure to look for the Vlora Han that still stands the test of time with its priceless beauty. To me, Vlora Han is one of the best examples of art nouveau masterpieces in Istanbul inspite of all its decay.
Built in the early 1900s on a triangular plot, the five-story building combines stone, iron, and floral motifs typical of the art nouveau style—flowing lines, roses, and ornate balcony railings. Originally known as Ferouh Bey Han in 1904, it became Vlora Han by 1921. Over the decades it has housed offices, storage, and a notary.
In 1990, Vlora Han was officially listed as a “civil architectural monument,” and in 2007 it was upgraded to First Degree Preservation Status, ensuring legal protection. But it is such a pity that this priceless gem is left to its own fate, decaying.
Please glance through its beautiful details to grasp its timeless elegance—an elegance that seems to have left us for good in the 21st century.
Glance through its stairs that take one back in time!
