The historic Greek Hospital in Istanbul, severely damaged by a major fire in 2022, has been restored to its original form and reopened following a comprehensive reconstruction effort led by public authorities and a Greek community foundation.
The blaze, which broke out on Aug. 4, 2022, destroyed the building’s roof and caused extensive damage to its upper floors. Under a project initiated by the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the restoration was carried out in coordination with the Zeytinburnu Municipality and the Balıklı Greek Foundation. The Greek American community also helped finance the restoration project by pledging 350,000 US dollars. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who arrived in Istanbul a few days after the fire, informed the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the fundraising.
Reconstruction works were completed in two phases, during which the destroyed roof and the heavily affected second floor were rebuilt from scratch.
Structural deformations on the façade were repaired in line with the building’s original architectural features, while all window frames and joinery were reproduced in wood to preserve its historic character.
In a statement, the Istanbul Governor’s Office said the project aims to safeguard cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations, describing the effort as “a gesture of loyalty to our ancestors and a strong legacy for the future.”
The history of the Greek hospital in Istanbul
The Balıklı Greek Hospital was originally established in 1753 by the Union of Greek Grocers. The immediate objective of the hospital was to help cure epidemics and common diseases specifically affecting the ethnic Greek population of Constantinople.
By the end of the 18th century, the Greek community of Constantinople had built three hospitals: this particular one in 1762, another in the district of Galata, and, in 1780, a third in Pera. All three hospitals had their own particular constitutions, but they were all placed under the supervision of the Ecumenical Patriarch, who was responsible for nominating the administrative boards of the hospitals.
The hospitals’ records reveal that the community’s hospitals were open to all patients regardless of ethnic origin and religious beliefs.
