ABOUT

HovagImyan Han
A HIstorIcal Approach

A Historic Approach to Hospitality

As you step through the doors of Hovagimyan Hotel and Suites, we invite you to step into the social fabric of this historic building. At its heart, Hovagimyan Hotel and Suites seeks to preserve the stories of the past while crafting spaces that embrace today’s needs with elegance and care. We envision a world where progress respects history, design fosters connection, and each guest becomes a part of our journey.

Hovagimyan, like its neighbouring trade buildings, stands as a testament to Istanbul’s maritime history, threading the Ottoman heritage to the modern metropolis it is today. Functions and people in these buildings have changed, but the character and significance remains ever present in the beating and bustling arteries of the heart of the city.

ArchItectural SIgnIfIcance

The buildings of Karaköy and Pera reflect an intricate history where diverse cultures cross over and through each other. A place where cultures, commerce and community align, Istanbul’s complex history can be experienced from Hovagimyan.

Explore Istanbul through the gaze of history.

Built in 1920 and designed by distinguished Armenian architect Leon Nafilyan, Hovagimyan Han has preserved its iconic Art Nouveau facade. Nafilyan completed his studies at the Paris Ecole des Beaux Arts between 1900 and 1905. He was part of a “busy intercontinental cultural traffic” or what art historian Mary Roberts dubs “Istanbul exchanges”. 

Nafilyan’s architectural style is characterized by a fusion of Oriental influences and French traditions, reflected in several projects in Istanbul and the world. Hovagimyan Han embodies his inclination towards Art Nouveau, which we allowed to seep into our rooms with our collection of Art Deco and Art Nouveau antiques, and our restaurant where we blend Istanbul’s familiar flavours with Mediterranean dishes.

Architects and design enthusiasts may know Nafilyan for several notable works beyond Istanbul:
– 1924: Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, Cairo
– 1926: 9–11 Square Alboni, Paris
– 1928: The AGBU Nubar Library, Paris
– 1930: The Armenian Student House, Paris

Additional designs and records of his work can be explored through the Contemporary Architecture Archives Center.

Saint Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in Cairo

Details of bas-relief panet and ornamental grillwork of The Nubar Library in Square Alboni, Paris. Photo by Sato Moughalian

A Center for ShIppIng AgencIes

Nestled in the historic Kemankeş Karamustafapaşa neighbourhood, Hovagimyan Han is one of Galata’s many late 19th-century commercial buildings, once central to Istanbul’s maritime trade. Over time, it housed renowned companies such as Albert Cabaud, Deutsche Levant Linie, and most notably, the Fascolo Mango Steamship Company—specialising in coal shipments across the Mediterranean.

The Mango family’s story is woven into this legacy. Dimitri Mango arrived in Constantinople in the 1840s as a printer for the Catholic Church. His son, Anthony Mango, founded Fascolo Mango, and future generations carried the family’s influence forward—most notably Cyril Mango, a leading scholar of Byzantine architecture, and another Anthony Mango, author of a biography of Atatürk.

Today, Hovagimyan Han stands as a tribute to this rich history—welcoming guests into a space shaped by trade, heritage, and thoughtful reinvention.

Cultural and SocIal FootprInt

Istanbul’s iconic hans are more than business centers, they are part of a multicultural ecosystem in Galata, the hub of international trade networks, where Levantine, Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Turkish merchants and workers coexisted. Reflecting Istanbul’s cosmopolitan character, figures emerging from Hovagimyan Han were influential in business and academia alike.

Stay In Harmony...

WIth People

Behind every detail at Hovagimyan is a team driven by care, creativity, and a passion for hospitality. From the warm welcome at the door to the thoughtful touches in your room, their dedication transforms the hotel into a home.

WIth Planet

Hotels have a reputation for excess, but we’re rewriting the story. Sustainability is woven into every aspect of Hovagimyan Hotel and Suites, from the carefully restored antiques in our rooms to our refillable toiletries and eco-conscious amenities.

Coffee & Tea: Thoughtfully sourced, served without excess packaging.
Food Waste: Smart kitchen practices and partnerships reduce and repurpose waste.

WIth BusIness

We believe in partnerships that last. By collaborating with like-minded businesses, including small enterprises and local artisans, we strengthen the communities we’re a part of. These relationships, built on trust and mutual growth, help us bring unique, meaningful experiences to our guests while creating shared value for the future.