"World's Oldest Profession" Recycling to Arts Center in Beyoğlu

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 21 December 2021)

brothel background click here for the gory details.

Two years ago, the 'genel evler' (houses of ill repute) on Zürafa,

Alageyik and Kadem streets in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, were shuttered 

because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Subsequently, the buildings

went to ruin but now, with an initiative from Beyoğlu Mayor Haydar

Ali Yıldız, work has begun to transform the buildings into an arts 

center. 

The heirs to Madam Matild Manukyan, who ran the 'genelevleri'

and got rich from them, owning 37 pieces of real estate on the 

streets, have agreed to the project.  Dora Çilingir, İlda Çilingir

and Edvin Çilingir, the heirs, will cover the costs of rehabilitating

the buildings.