Gendarmerie Building - Sivas

Sivas Gendarmerie Building is a unique historical structure built in 1908 by Governor Reşit Akif Paşa. The building was constructed during the Ottoman period to serve as a headquarters for gendarmerie troops. Today it is a protected cultural asset.

The Gendarmerie Building is situated at the exact center of Sivas, within Government Square. This square is an area housing important state buildings in the city. Due to its location, the building has become one of the most prominent features of the city square both historically and today.

The building was constructed in 1908. At that time, Reşit Akif Paşa, the Governor of Sivas, sought to establish a central facility for gendarmerie personnel. Consequently, the structure began to be used as the Gendarmerie Office or Gendarmerie Barracks. After the gendarmerie unit was relocated to another site, the building was repurposed for sociocultural uses. Today it is no longer a military structure but preserved as a historical heritage.

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The Gendarmerie Building is constructed in an L-shape, resembling two long arms joined at a corner. At the point where these two arms meet stands an octagonal (eight-sided) tower. This tower imparts both grandeur and balance to the building’s appearance. The walls are built of cut stone, while the roof is constructed using a wooden structural system and covered with metal sheeting. Interior spaces feature wooden ceilings, and some rooms have decorative elements on their ceilings.

The windows in the building are designed as long and narrow openings. Above each window is a stone arch ornament. Some windows also feature iron grilles. At the main entrance is a stone staircase leading to a principal door. Above the door is an inscription plaque—a stone tablet that records the construction date and the name of the person who commissioned the building.

The Sivas Gendarmerie Building was officially registered as a protected cultural asset in 1983. It currently holds the status of a cultural asset requiring protection, with registration number A-4468. Thanks to this designation, the building is legally protected and maintained in accordance with its original form.

Today, the Sivas Provincial Administration plans to redevelop the Gendarmerie Building under the Unique Square Project. Through this initiative, the structure will be preserved while also being utilized to contribute to the city’s tourism sector.