More than kisses, letters mingle souls.’ John Donne
When you visit Sirkeci, make sure to pass by the Grand Post Office which was once one of the symbols of Turkish modernisation at the turn of the 20th century. It was when people wrote letters, sent telegrams and telephones were wired.
The building is a majestic one built by one of the pioneers of Turkish architecture whom we owe many buildings in the Sirkeci District: Vedat Tek.
Vedat Tek
The Grand Post Office is currently under restoration and will be back as the Chief Directorate of PTT on the European Side. The Grand Post-office once hosted a Museum and it was a delight to see the rich history of telecommunication and communication with its stamps, telephones, telegrams and uniforms. I hope that the Museum will be back with us after the restoration is finalised.
An old photo of the Grand Post Office
After the restoration, if you get a chance to visit the Grand Post Office, you will be amazed to see the monumental stairs, majestic doors and towers, beautiful facade, high ceilings and elegant details all of which are unimaginable in today’s world where buildings are purely functional.
Grand Post Office – Interior
A glimpse at the Museum inside the Grand Post Office
Entrance of the Museum
It is such as pity that majority of İstanbulites have lost the habit of writing letters or post-cards unlike many Europeans who still try to keep the tradition. It is among the many delicate details of life we have lost. But it is good to feel that at least we have a living reminder of the days when people wrote letters!
An old stamp with Atatürk who is the founder of the Turkish Republic on it
