Imagery - Emphaty - Respect

The position of the place in the mind doesn’t mean the image and it isn’t the perceptions of the senses either.The meaning of the place forms an entire in culture and people’s creations.It’s no doubt that the main part of this work is done thanks to the arthitectures.Arthitecture takes one of the important responsibilities on to create socio- cultural environment.That’s why the place is created by means of arthitecture and lots of people’s ideas and performance of the people who live there.These ideas and actions support the features of communicating, sharing, questioning and discussing.On the other hand they replace these situations in people’s memories in that place.

Each writer or musician, shortly all the people share their experiences thinking and making others think.These shares are carried out in modern and social people’s places at lots of cafes, restaurants with the effects of changing habits and traditional examples.These kind of places make people happier and more excited.So these places where people share their thoughts and problems are very important in the society.

Due to these reasons, Markiz Cafe is one of the popular venues where people share teir art, communication, writing, culture from the period of Otoman Empire till our modern time. It also leads the movement of civilization. Although it’s a French brand, it is a part of the efforts of being civilised.(Belgin Suna)

In the 15th century Pera is a window opening to Europe reflecting the west idendity of İstanbul using recreation, culture, shopping places and fashion.The most important recreation and shopping passages have replaced along İstiklal Street since 1927. One of them is Grand Rue de Pera as everybody knows.

The oldest second passage is Passage Oriental which is known as the Markiz Passage. It has hosted lots of shops for 163 years.There are tailor’s, fur coat shops, hairdresser’s. The most important place is Markiz Cafe which reflects its own image to the street. Lebon –with the oldest name - is one of the first cafes.The pastry culture contains the cakes which are baked by Russian women after Russian Revolution.

After the war Eduard Lebon makes Lemeunier- who lives in Paris- build a well known bakery.Later its name is changed and it is run with the name – Markiz- by other owners.

Unfortunately this memorable place has lost its value apart from its name. Its present position shows that we don’t give enough value to this unique historical museum which was visited by lots of famous people such as Yahya Kemal, Namık Kemal, Ahmet Haşim, Şinasi , Pierro Loti and Haldun Taner.

Although this historical place is still protected, it’s obvious that we don’t protect the main thing. Because the quality of service is lost and we don’t respect it any more.In this point the restoration aimed to protect cultural and arthitectural values and took on to continue its function.Although it seemed that it took on to maket his place alive. The right thing is to continue its function.

Because baking pastry is one of the important elements which are performed as food culture in İstiklal Street.

For this reason it hasn’t lost its function as industrial heritage. It’s obvious that it’s just a cafe.

When we think of the place, it has already protected its value against damages and it’s still a valuable place to visit.

There are lots of example passages where restaurants, cinemas are seen . Some places put the names of passages away from their own names and created crazy consuming centres. So markiz Cafe tried to make cookery culture alive and hosted a gastronomy school at Aynalı Passage.It provided contribution to the education of the country.It formed an entire with its history. It’s very important.

As a result the restoration which gathers all the values together respecting the history is the most important thing.