Süreyya Opera House, Art Deco opera house in Kadıköy district, Istanbul, Turkey
Süreyya Opera House is a cultural venue located on General Asım Gündüz Avenue in the Kadıköy district with a distinctive Art Deco facade. Inside, the building accommodates 570 spectators, features 14 dressing rooms, and has a stage designed to host opera, ballet, and concert performances.
Armenian architect Kegham Kavafyan designed the building in 1924, and it opened in 1927 as the first musical theatre on the Asian side of Istanbul. This opening represented a major step in bringing organized cultural performances to the eastern part of the city.
The building served as a cinema from 1930 to 2005, becoming a central meeting place for the neighborhood. Locals gathered here regularly for entertainment, making it part of their daily social rhythm.
The building is easily accessible and sits prominently on its avenue in the heart of Kadıköy. Visitors should allow time to appreciate the architectural details both on the exterior and throughout the interior spaces.
The design draws inspiration from Parisian and German theatre architecture, making it a building shaped by multiple European traditions. These international influences appear in the facade details and interior layouts, distinguishing it from other buildings of its era.
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