This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
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One of the foundational faculties of Istanbul Technical University, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering traces its roots back over a century. With the university reforms of 1933, the Institute of Electricity and Mechanical Engineering, previously under the Faculty of Science of Istanbul University (formerly Darülfünun), was dissolved, and the Department of Electrical-Mechanical Engineering was established at the Higher Engineering School, initiating education in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. In 1944, a law was enacted that renamed the Higher Engineering School as Istanbul Technical University, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering became an independent faculty under the name Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is one of the most established institutions in Türkiye for education and research in mechanical engineering. Over time, various engineering disciplines within the faculty gained independent faculty status. In 1969, the Faculty of Shipbuilding and Marine Sciences was established; in 1983, the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and in 2004, the Faculty of Textile Technologies and Design.
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering conducts education and research in the design, development, and production planning of mechanical systems and energy conversion systems through its Department of Mechanical Engineering. Ongoing research and development activities span numerous sectors including automotive, energy production, petrochemicals, robotics, defense industry, textiles, reverse engineering, clean energy, renewable energy, underground coal gasification, MEMS, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical technology, and biomolecular engineering.
Today, as a modern institution of education and research aligned with global technological standards, the Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is among the faculties with the largest research laboratories in Türkiye.
Construction of the Gümüşsuyu Building began in 1840 during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II. It was initially erected to provide housing for unmarried workers employed at the Tüfekhane-i Amire, the state’s light arms production center located in Dolmabahçe. During construction, internal modifications were made, and the building was converted into a military barracks. Completed in 1843 by Armenian architect Garabet Amira Balyan, the wooden structure began operating as the Gümüşsuyu Barracks.
In 1857, Sultan Abdülmecid ordered the renovation of the neglected Gümüşsuyu Barracks to serve as quarters for the Hademe-i Hassa and Muzika-i Hümayun, the imperial household and music units of Dolmabahçe Palace. Consequently, in 1862, the main structure of the barracks was rebuilt in stone, and the project was completed during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz by architect Sarkis Balyan.
Early years of the Gümüşsuyu Barracks. (İstanbul Technical University)
During the Ottoman period, the Gümüşsuyu Barracks housed the Muzika-i Hümayun, established to train musicians for the imperial band and orchestra and to provide instruction in Turkish music. In this capacity, it is one of the earliest buildings of today’s Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, the barracks were used for training the Hademe-i Hassa, the unit responsible for ceremonial and service personnel within the palace. In later years, part of the barracks was allocated to the Tulumbacılar Birliği, a fire-fighting unit, and the Süvari Birliği, a mounted guard unit. The area now used as a sports hall and open field was designated as stables for the Süvari Birliği in 1863.
Dolmabahçe and the Gümüşsuyu Barracks in the early 20th century. (İstanbul Technical University)
In 1909, the Gümüşsuyu Barracks suffered a fire due to the negligence of soldiers serving in the cartography unit. Despite the efforts of the fire brigade, the delayed response caused extensive damage.
The Gümüşsuyu Barracks after the fire of 1909. (İstanbul Technical University)
In 1884, Türkiye’s first civil engineering school, the Hendese-i Mülkiye Mektebi, was established under the Mühendishane-i Berri-i Hümayun and began instruction in Halıcıoğlu. However, due to disagreements between military and civilian administrators, in 1909 it separated from the Mühendishane-i Berri-i Hümayun, adopted the name Mühendis Mekteb-i Âlîsi, and relocated to the Faik Paşa Mansion in Tophane under the Ministry of Public Works (Nafıa Nezareti). Before finally moving to the Gümüşsuyu Barracks, the school was forced to operate in seven different buildings—including Notre Dame de Sion and Harbiye Mektebi—due to epidemics of typhus, the First World War, and occupation.
On 28 November 1918, Sultan Vahdettin assigned the Gümüşsuyu Barracks to the Mühendis Mektebi. At the time, equipment for physics and chemistry laboratories was stored in the mosque located in the central courtyard of the barracks. However, just one week later, before students could settle in, British forces occupied the building and converted it into a hospital. The Mühendis Mektebi, left vacant for a time, temporarily returned to its original building in Halıcıoğlu, leaving some of its equipment in the mosque. After the occupation of Istanbul, even this building was taken over by British forces, leaving the school without a facility. The Gümüşsuyu Barracks, then serving as a hospital, was completely destroyed in a major fire in April 1920 that broke out in the southern wing facing Gümüşsuyu Street.
View of the Gümüşsuyu Building from Dolmabahçe. (İstanbul Technical University)
After prolonged use of unsuitable buildings—where lectures were held in dormitories and dining halls—the decision was made in 1923 to return the Gümüşsuyu Barracks to the Mühendis Mektebi. Following the War of Independence and the liberation of Istanbul, on 12 March 1923, then Minister of Foreign Affairs İsmet (İnönü) Paşa requested the British General Harrington to vacate the building. In September 1923, it was decided that the Gümüşsuyu Barracks would serve both the Mühendis Mektebi and the Kondüktör Mektebi due to urgent needs. In 1937, the Kondüktör Mektebi relocated to Yıldız under the name Teknik Okul and later became Yıldız Technical University in 1992.
On 20 October 1923, the Mühendis Mektebi began classes in the Gümüşsuyu Barracks. However, repairs and renovations continued for several years due to the building’s ruined state upon transfer from British forces. The details of this process are described in the research book “Yüksek Mühendis Okulu” as follows: “The southern section of the building’s waterfront (today housing the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering’s secretariat and beyond) was substantially reconstructed during the first directorship of Fikri Bey. The lecture hall and its extension were completed during the rectorship of Suphi Bey. The surrounding walls were largely rebuilt, while other sections were repaired. The garden facing Dolmabahçe was landscaped. On 1 June 1935, Suphi Tanıg was appointed director by the Minister of Public Works, succeeding Fikri Bey. At this time, it was decided to construct a separate dormitory to fully dedicate the building to educational and laboratory activities. A modern dormitory with a capacity of 300 students was built on the site of the former cavalry barracks, providing excellent accommodation, rest, and dining facilities. The sections previously used as dormitories and dining halls were converted into educational spaces. The wing facing Gümüşsuyu Street was also rebuilt. These adjustments increased student capacity and expanded laboratories. Reconstruction and expansion efforts, begun in earlier years, accelerated rapidly. Three sides of the Gümüşsuyu Building were repaired and reconstructed during the directorships of Fikri and Suphi Bey, while the western side (currently facing the Philips buildings) was entirely demolished and rebuilt as a four-story structure. The lower floors housed a printing press and laboratories, while the upper floors accommodated the library and teaching staff. As student numbers increased, partitions between classrooms were removed to expand them. The physics and chemistry laboratories, previously able to accommodate only 30 students, were expanded to double their capacity. A new amphitheater was constructed, and the old one was converted into a communications laboratory. Additionally, a Mechanical Workshop was established for student internships. During this period, Electrical and Mechanical branches were created, and departments in Aeronautical Engineering and Marine Construction Engineering were added.”
By a law adopted on 24 May 1928, the institution, originally founded as Mühendis Mekteb-i Âlîsi, was renamed Yüksek Mühendis Mektebi and transferred to the Gümüşsuyu Building. During the Second World War, the Yüksek Mühendis Mektebi expanded its faculty with scholars from abroad and began training the nation’s elite technical personnel from 1931 onward. Initially located in the Gümüşsuyu Barracks, the school gradually expanded to include the Taşkışla and Maçka Silahhanesi buildings, and in 1944, it was officially named Istanbul Technical University. Upon the end of Ord. Prof. Osman Tevfik Taylan’s directorship on 20 July 1944, as required by law, Osman Tevfik Taylan was appointed the first Rector of the newly established Technical University.
Photograph of National Education Minister Hasan Ali Yücel cutting the ribbon at the official opening of Istanbul Technical University in 1944. (İstanbul Technical University)
Originally constructed as a barracks, the Gümüşsuyu Building underwent numerous modifications upon its conversion into an educational institution. Bathhouses and cavalry stables were removed, additional floors were added, and the original structure was significantly altered. The Conference Hall within the Gümüşsuyu Building, housing the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, has served since the faculty’s founding as a venue for meetings of rectors and deans. Maintaining its historical character, it has undergone renovations and restorations in various periods and continues today to host dean and rector meetings with a capacity of 17 persons.
Photograph of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Professors’ Council meeting in 1955. (İstanbul Technical University)
The photograph above shows the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Professors’ Council meeting in 1955. From left to right (clockwise): Prof. Dr. Fahri Terzioğlu (Aeronautics), Prof. Dr. Fikret Narter (Mechanical), Prof. Dr. Kamuran Görgün (Mechanical), Prof. Dr. Ratip Berker (Founding Dean), Prof. Dr. Hilmi İleri (Mechanical), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Savcı (Marine), Prof. Dr. Hikmet Binark (Dean), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selim Palavan (Mechanical), Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Sağışman (Mechanical), Prof. Dr. Ata Nutku (Marine), Prof. Dr. Bekir Dizioğlu (Mechanical), Prof. Dr. François Duscio (Mechanical).
Evolution of the Gümüşsuyu Campus over time. (İstanbul Technical University)
Historic entrance gate to the Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (Dolmabahçe facade). (İstanbul Technical University)
The inscription on the historic entrance gate of the Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is a significant artifact documenting the construction of the barracks during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz. The inscription, dated 1278 according to the Rumi calendar (1862 in the Gregorian calendar), reflects the aesthetic principles of Ottoman calligraphy and the literary style of the period. It references the construction of the barracks and Sultan Abdülaziz’s urban development initiatives. Written in calligraphic art, the text is adorned with Ottoman Turkish expressions and, when interpreted in modern Turkish, serves as both a historical and architectural document. Below is presented the original inscription, its transliteration into Latin letters, and a simplified Turkish translation.
Inscription. (
1- Taht-ı iclâle cülûsundan beru ikdâm ile // Mülkün i’mâr etmede şâh-ı cihan Abdülaziz // Eyleyüb inşâ Gümüşsuyu’nda bu nev kışlayı
2- Nakd-i cûdın askere kıldı revan Abdülaziz // Mülk ve millet sâye-i lütfunda görsün rahatı // Padişah-ı âlem olsun her zaman Abdülaziz
3- Harrerehû Abdülfettâh Sersikkegünân-ı // Söyledi tarih mu’cem bende-i hass-ı Ziyâ // Mevkiinde kışlayı yaptırdı Hân-ı Abdülaziz // Hazîne-i Hassa-i Şâhâne
4- 1278
Harrerehû Abdülfettah Sersikkegünân-ı Hazîne-i Hassa-i Şâhâne 1278 (Rumi 1862)
Since ascending the throne, the sovereign of the world, Sultan Abdülaziz,
Has undertaken the development of the realm,
And commissioned the construction of this new barracks in Gümüşsuyu.
With his generosity to the military, Sultan Abdülaziz has granted it.
May the nation and the state find peace under his grace.
May Sultan Abdülaziz remain the emperor of the world forever.
The chronicle was recorded by Ziya, servant of the court.
It was Sultan Abdülaziz who ordered the construction of this barracks.
This inscription was written by Sersikkegünan Abdülfettah, official of the Imperial Treasury.
Mucem tarih: A historical date calculated using only dotted letters in the abjad system.
Hazine-i Hassa: The Ottoman institution managing the personal revenues and expenditures of the sultans.
Sersikkegünan: The chief official responsible for preparing coin dies.
Translations prepared by Arş. Gör. Kubilay Arpacı, Department of Art History, Istanbul Medeniyet University.
The Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has made significant contributions to the developing Turkish industry since the early years of the Republic. It has also played a pivotal role in Türkiye’s development and modernization, producing numerous graduates who have gained international recognition in politics and science. Notable graduates include Necmettin Erbakan, Ratip Berker, Fazıl Erdoğan, Çağla Kubat, Üzeyir Garih, Mehmet Toner, Orhan Öcalgiray, and Fahir Sabunis.
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Campus History
Transition of the Gümüşsuyu Barracks to Engineering Education
Historic Gate
Transliteration
Calligrapher’s Signature
Simplified Translation
Laboratories
Graduates