Hazine-i Evrak binası, Ottoman archive building in Fatih district, Turkey.
The Hazine-i Evrak building is a two-story Neo-Renaissance structure with stone walls, symmetrical facade, and large windows that illuminate the interior. The elevated construction and solid structural design were specifically created to safely house Ottoman government documents and records.
The building was constructed in 1848 during Sultan Abdulmecid's reign and designed by architect Gaspare Fossati to house the Ottoman Empire's official documents. It was built when administrative centralization was reshaping government institutions and their operations.
The name Hazine-i Evrak means Treasury of Documents, showing how the Ottoman administration valued preserving government records and manuscripts. Visitors can observe today how the rooms were designed specifically for storing these important papers.
The building is situated near public transportation in the Fatih district and remains easily accessible. It now operates as a research center with reading rooms where visitors can examine historical materials under controlled conditions.
The structure incorporates specific architectural features designed to protect documents from moisture and fire, including elevated storage areas. These protective measures reveal how crucial the empire considered preserving its official records to be.
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