‘If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.’ – Napoleon Bonaparte

 

GMW22 Venue

The 550 year old building was the former medrassa of Semiz Ali Pasha, one of the grand viziers of the reign of Süleyman I (Kanuni) (1520-1566), in Karagümrük. He built it as a place to educate orphans & refugees, and today it is still being used as a centre of learning for youth from all walks of life

For the GMW fortnight, the medrassa will be our co-working space; a calming and inspiring location in the heart of historic Fatih. If you’re travelling to the event, consider staying in Fatih itself or Laleli, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci or Beyoglu across the bosphorus. With numerous ways to commute, you can be within a short travel journey to what will commonly be know as GMW-HQ .

We are proud to partner with Bilim ve Insan Vakfi for providing the venue for the GMW22 in Istanbul

Missed out?

Here’s what you missed at GMW22 Istanbul

  • Aya Sofia

    The Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya in Turkish) was the emperor's statement to the world of the wealth and technical ability of the empire. With it’s reconversion back into a working mosque in 2020, the Hagia Sophia has remained one of Istanbul's most cherished landmarks.

  • Topkapi Palace

    Istanbul was the seat of the Islamic Caliphate, between 1517 and 1924. Some of the personal belongings of Muhammad (saw) and the earliest caliphs who followed him are today preserved in the Topkapı Palace, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and in several other prominent mosques in Istanbul.

  • The Grand Bazaar

    This massive covered market is basically the world's first shopping mall, taking up a whole city quarter, surrounded by thick walls, between the Nuruosmanıye Mosque and Beyazıt Mosque. The Beyazıt Mosque (built in 1498-1505) itself occupies the site of Theodosius I's Forum and has architecture inspired by the Hagia Sophia.

  • The Dolmabahçe Palace

    The ornate Dolmabahçe Palace shows the influence of the Europeans and architecture on the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. Built by Sultan Abdülmecid I in 1854, it replaced Topkapı Palace as the main residence of the sultans.

  • The Bosphorus

    The Bosphorus runs through the heart of Istanbul, lined by the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, several Ottoman palaces, fortresses, forested hills, and villages with Ottoman architecture. It may very well be part of your daily commute at the GMW