The Art of Turkish Rowing: A Festival at Tersane

The waters of the Golden Horn have carried vessels of every description for over two millennia — from Byzantine warships to Ottoman galleys, from merchant dhows to the humble kayiks that once served as Istanbul's primary mode of transport. Now, in a celebration that honours this extraordinary maritime heritage, Rixos Tersane Istanbul is reviving the ancient art of Turkish rowing with an annual festival that has quickly become one of the city's most anticipated cultural events.

The Turkish Rowing Festival brings together traditional boat builders, competitive rowers, maritime historians, and culture enthusiasts for a three-day programme of races, exhibitions, workshops, and performances. The centrepiece is the Grand Race — a competitive rowing event held in replica Ottoman kayiks, hand-built using centuries-old techniques by master craftsmen from the Black Sea coast.

The festival's cultural programme extends well beyond the waterfront. Inside the restored shipyard, exhibitions showcase the history of Ottoman naval architecture, while live demonstrations allow visitors to watch kayik builders at work — shaping timber with hand tools, fitting copper nails, and applying the traditional varnishes that give these vessels their distinctive lustre. There is something profoundly moving about watching these ancient skills practised in the very shipyard where they originated.

For Rixos Tersane Istanbul, the festival represents something deeper than cultural programming — it is a statement of purpose. By activating the heritage of its extraordinary location, the resort positions itself not merely as a luxury accommodation, but as a guardian of living tradition. The shipyard that once launched fleets now launches conversations about preservation, craftsmanship, and the enduring power of maritime culture.

Guests staying at the resort during the festival receive exclusive access to all events, including a private captain's dinner hosted on the waterfront, a guided historical tour of the Tersane-i Amire, and the opportunity to row a traditional kayik under expert instruction. It is, by any measure, an experience available nowhere else in the world.