Category: Cultural
Type: Opera House
Location: Osmanağa, Gen. Asım Gündüz Ave. Kadıköy
Date: 1923-1927
Designer: Kegham Kavafyan
Period: Republic of Türkiye
Photos: Kadıköy Belediyesi (sureyyaoperasi.kadikoy.bel.tr)
The Süreyya Opera House, located in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul, was commissioned by Süreyya İlmen Pasha as the city’s first dedicated musical theater building on the Anatolian side. Designed by the architect Kegham Kavafyan and constructed between 1924 and 1927, the structure reflects a refined blend of Art Deco and Neoclassical styles, drawing inspiration from European landmarks such as the Champs-Élysées Theatre in Paris. Its facade and interiors are adorned with sophisticated artistic details, including sculptures and reliefs by İhsan Özsoy and vibrant ceiling frescoes by Naci Kalmukoğlu. Although originally envisioned for opera, technical deficiencies led to its long-term use as a cinema until a meticulous restoration led by architect Cafer Bozkurt between 2005 and 2007 finally enabled it to fulfill its founding purpose as a grand stage for opera and ballet.
