Sıbyan schools were the most naive step in the Ottoman State's educational adventure, aiming to teach children literacy and religious knowledge. These humble places in the history of the State sealed the innocence and patience of an era in time. There, little eyes, who were just preparing to discover what the world was like, would meet letters, grow up with words and learn to keep the pulse of time by breathing in the spirit that surrounded the period. Rising in the shadow of mosques, these small buildings, with the spirituality and tranquility that permeated every corner, taught children not only how to read, but also manners, etiquette, and the discipline of the mind. Now, we will open the door of Hacı Turan Kapan Sıbyan Mektebi, one of these sanbyan schools hidden behind stone walls.
Hacı Turan Kapan Sıbyan Mektebi, one of the rare works that shed light on the historical texture of Urla, is a precious heritage that has survived from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. According to the information in the sources, it is thought to have been built in the 16th century together with the Kapan Mosque on the same street. Reflecting the simple and functional understanding of Ottoman architecture, this sanbyan school is a two-storey building with a square plan, where stone and wood are combined with an elegant harmony. The dome that covers it gives the space both elegance and impressive acoustics. Windows on all four facades allow generous use of daylight, giving the space a bright and spacious atmosphere.
Having lost its original function over time, this sıbyan school was privatized in the early years of the Republic by being registered as a “house” in the title deed. The building, which was used as a residence until the second half of the twentieth century, fell into disuse and was exposed to wear and tear in the following period. Finally, in 2005, it was purchased and designed by Prof. Dr. Tevfik Balcıoğlu and began the process of coming to life again.
The meticulous restoration work carried out under the supervision of the Monuments Board made it possible to add modern infrastructure while preserving the original architectural elements of the building. On October 21, 2017, following the restoration completed in 2016, the Sıbyan School was reborn as the “Urla Design Library”. In the same year, within the scope of the “Respect for History Local Conservation Awards” organized by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, the Ottoman Sıbyan School was deemed worthy of an award in the category of “Substantial Repair with Change of Original Function”.
Thus, this historical space, which once existed to explore pencil-holding and literacy, has today transformed into a design library that hosts both children and adults. In this respect, the building, which blends its historical identity with contemporary approaches, offers the opportunity to examine the story of the past as a process of memory that is constantly interpreted and open to negotiation, rather than a fixed narrative.
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