İzmir: The Historical Elevator Tower

While you are in Izmir, you may want to see the view of the Gulf. I think the Historical Elevator Tower is one of the most ideal places for this. The elevator is modern, not historic; however, the tower it is in may be of interest to you with its historical architecture...

History of the Elevator Tower

In 1907, Nesim Levi Bayraklıoğlu built a 40-meter tall elevator tower to tackle the accessibility problem of climbing 155-step stairs from Mithatpaşa Road to Halil Rıfat Paşa district on the hillside. This street elevator was run by a steam engine in the early days, and then switched to hydropower; which now relies on electric power since 1985.

This will give you an idea of the distance

The Elevator Tower gradually gets narrower as it descends. Consisting of four sections, the lower part is made of stone, while the upper parts are constructed using bricks which were brought Mersailles. On the lower part of the stone section lies an epitaph, which reads "Elevator was built by patron Nesim Levi in 1907" in French and Hebrew. Brick walled entrance hall features ornamental egg friezes, floral patterns, and star patterns.

Stairs are also an option

The Elevator Tower, which belonged to Nesim Levi for many years and later to Ayla Ökmen, was donated to the municipality by Ökmen in 1983. Architects Zehra and Oktay Ekinci were assigned for the restoration work to bring the tower back into the city life of İzmir as part of "İzmir Historic Asansör and Its Vicinity Cultural Development Project" in 1992.

The street has conntects Mithatpaşa Street to the facility was named after Dario Moreno, as it was home to this world-famous musician.

Dario Moreno Street

Who are Nesim Levi Bayraklıoğlu and Dario Moreno?

Mr. Bayraklıoğlu was a businessman from the Jewish community of İzmir. He built this elevator for the service of the people living in the region and donated its income to the construction of the Karataş Jewish Hospital in İzmir. David Arugete Moreno, on the other hand, was born here in 1921, a world-class musician...

The ground floor of the elevator leads to Dario Moreno Street. Here is the house where the famous musician was born. (I couldn't visit because there was a restoration when I went, but I will go again) The artist's will is written on the street:

My Dear İzmir,

İzmir, my sweet and dear city.

If I die far away from you one day,

May they bring me to you,

But while taking me to my grave,

May they not say of me "he died"

May they say, "he is sleeping".

What Awaits you?

I have already mentioned the view of the Gulf of İzmir in the introduction. You can find handmade souvenirs on Dario Moreno Street. There are also some cool cafes. When you go up with the elevator, there is a restaurant; but I have no idea about the restaurant's menu and price range. Perhaps the most beautiful thing waiting for you is that it has a spiritual meaning. This is a region where people from different cultures and religions live together, cooperate and become neighbors. The fact that there is a synagogue and a mosque just ahead is proof that this spirit still continues...

When I visited this place about 10 years ago, the use of the elevator was paid. It's free now. And since it is a public service rather than a touristic place, it is open every day and every hour...

Asansör means elevator in Turkish.

How to get to the Historical Elevator Tower?

If you are going to use the tram, you can walk from Karataş Station in 5-6 minutes. If you want to come from Konak on foot, it will take 20-25 minutes on average. The distance to the Archaeological Museum is at most 7 minutes on foot.