Private Merkez Greek High School
Changes After Construction:
- The building, constructed in 1850, initially served as a primary school, with a girls’ high school added in 1864.
- In 1893, the current school building was constructed with donations from Galata banker Stefanos Zafiropoulos.
- The school operated as a coeducational institution in 1991 but closed in 1999 due to insufficient student numbers.
- The structure, which also housed the school caretaker and their family, is currently used for cultural and artistic activities by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV).
Prominent Features:
- The historic building, also known as Merkez Rum Girls’ High School, has hosted the Istanbul Biennial since 2022.
- Constructed in a modern style for its period, the structure features classical smooth plaster facades and square windows.
- The entrance, accessed through a narrow door, leads to a ground floor and a garden that accommodates numerous plants, giving the site a notable place in the city’s history.
- Classrooms still preserve traces of the school’s educational heritage, including period-specific equipment, boards, and maps.
