Turkey ordered the evacuation of the Great School of the Nation building in Fener due to seismic risk

The Turkish Ministry of Education has issued an order to evacuate the historic building of the Great School of the Nation in the Fener district within 90 days, Greek media reported on October 13, 2025.

According to Turkish press reports, the 144-year-old building, which houses an educational institution that has operated continuously for 571 years, has been deemed unsafe for students and staff.

The Armenian newspaper “Agos” reported that the official order was sent in September 2025, requiring all school functions to be relocated within three months. As a result, the school may face a temporary or permanent suspension of its activities.

The school’s director, Dimitris Zotos, stated that there had been no prior warning and that a search for a new location is already underway. He estimated that the cost of the necessary anti-seismic studies and works exceeds 10 million euros, a sum the school and community structures are unable to cover.