Buca's iconic station is fighting for its life

- Buca's iconic station is fighting for life -

When the question "What is the symbol of Buca?" is asked, the first answer that comes to mind is undoubtedly the grape, which is also on the coat of arms of the football team and municipality of the district. For many years, not only grapes; Buca Plain looked like an orchard, with figs, cherries, peaches, apricots and many other fruits. Tobacco was also cultivated recently.

Although agricultural products are always talked about as a result of the fertile Buca Plain, Buca has another symbol that has been forgotten in recent years: Buca train station.

According to the date written on it, Buca station was built a few years after the Buca-İzmir line was built, namely in 1872. Inspections on it also show that the station has seen little change since construction and has been standing for about 130 years.

The historic station has been well looked after and managed to survive as long as it was in use. However, the closure of the Buca line in 2006 would mean the beginning of bad days for the station.

The view of the station and the point where the Buca-İzmir line ends

- The station is gradually getting destroyed -

After Buca station was idle, it became a place for drinkers and drug addicts despite its central location. A wire fence was built around the station to prevent damage. However, this situation did not help, and after a fire was lit at the bottom of the station, the walls of the station were damaged and darkened, and the finely crafted stone floors on the ground were severely damaged. Recently, it has been observed that the roof of the station has started to collapse.

Recently, restoration works were carried out at the other districts of İzmir, Karşıyaka and Gaziemir (Seydiköy) stations, and the stations were completely renovated. Buca station, one of the symbols of Buca, is still struggling to survive and is in danger of being completely destroyed if not taken care of.

Buca Municipality was contacted for the maintenance of the station, but the municipality replied that the responsibility belongs to TCDD. No response was received from TCDD regarding the issue. If no action is taken for Buca station, one of the oldest stations in Turkey, the historical station and lodgings are in danger of extinction.

Station walls devastated by fires