Since its establishment in 1831, the Salih Tatlici foundation has remained steadfast in its commitment to respect and service to humanity. In alignment with these values, we have made a donation to the centuries-old Taksim Surp Agop Armenian Catholic Hospital Foundation in Istanbul, which has provided medical care to both military and civilian patients from across the country.
We Continue to Support Our Centuries-Old Institutions.
Regarding the donation, Executıve Board Member of our Foundation, Uğur Tatlıcı, stated: “We are delighted to support the centuries-old Taksim Surp Agop Armenian Catholic Hospital Foundation, which has been dedicated to improving public health since its inception. By investing in the healthcare sector to keep pace with modern advancements, this institution has continually served our community. We will continue to support such charitable organizations.”
Taksim Surp Agop Armenian Catholic Hospital Foundation
The idea of constructing the hospital originated in February 1831 and gained momentum with the issuance of a decree by Sultan Mahmud II, based on authorization letters from Tophane Commander-in-Chief Halil Pasha and the Galata Judge. The land on which the current hospital and surrounding buildings are located was purchased by the community in 1836. During that time, a tent hospital was erected on the site to treat patients affected by the cholera and plague epidemics in Istanbul and to help control the outbreaks.
Due to the determined efforts of the hospital’s Board of Directors to establish a permanent facility, construction of the wooden Surp Agop Hospital began with donations collected from the community and the support of volunteer labor. It officially opened its doors in 1837. In 1854, after the earthquake disaster in Bursa, injured victims who came to Istanbul were treated at Surp Agop Hospital.
Despite the significant challenges posed by the two World Wars occurring roughly 30 years apart, Surp Agop Hospital managed to persevere and continued its successful operations in the Republic of Turkey. In 1968, a reinforced concrete building was constructed on the same site, marking a significant modernization effort. Since then, the hospital has undergone continuous development and enhancements, achieving a modern standard of service through expansions and improvements.
As part of these restructuring efforts, it became evident that the nearly 50-year-old building was no longer adequate or safe against potential earthquakes. Consequently, the old building was demolished to construct a much larger, more functional, and safer facility. The construction of the new hospital and nursing home buildings is still ongoing. In the meantime, the hospital continues its operations as a multi-specialty outpatient clinic on the ground floor of the Surp Agop Apartments in Elmadağ.